Monitoring sites containing switchable optical devices and controllers

ABSTRACT

A site monitoring system may analyze information from sites to determine when a device, a sensor, a controller, or other structure associated with optically switchable devices has a problem. The system may, if appropriate, act on the problem. In certain embodiments, the system learns customer/user preferences and adapts its control logic to meet the customer&#39;s goals.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/948,464, filed Mar. 5, 2014, and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/974,677, filed Apr. 3, 2014, both incorporated hereinby reference in their entireties and for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Electrically tintable windows such as electrochromic window, sometimesreferred to as “smart windows” have been deployed in limitedinstallations. As such windows gain acceptance and are more widelydeployed, they may require increasingly sophisticated control andmonitoring systems, as there may be a large amount of data associatedwith smart windows. Improved techniques for managing large installationswill be necessary.

SUMMARY

A site monitoring system may analyze information from sites to determinewhen a device, a sensor, or a controller has a problem. The system may,if appropriate, act on the problem. In certain embodiments, the systemlearns customer/user preferences and adapts its control logic to meetthe customer's goals.

A system of one or more computers and/or other processing devices can beconfigured to perform particular operations or actions by virtue ofhaving software, firmware, hardware, or a combination of them installedon the system that in operation causes or cause the system to performthe actions. One or more computer programs can be configured to performparticular operations or actions by virtue of including instructionsthat, when executed by data processing apparatus, cause the apparatus toperform the actions. One general aspect includes a system for monitoringa plurality of remote sites, each having a network of switchable opticaldevices, the system including: (a) a data repository configured to storedata about the functioning of the switchable optical devices in saidremote sites; (b) one or more interfaces for receiving data from theplurality of remote sites; and (c) logic for analyzing said data fromsaid remote sites to identify any of the switchable optical devices, orany controllers or sensors operating in conjunction with any of theswitchable optical devices, that are performing outside an expectedperformance region. Other embodiments of this aspect includecorresponding computer systems, apparatus, and computer programsrecorded on one or more computer storage devices, each configured toperform or store instructions for performing the features of the logic.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Thesystem further including logic for generating a notification that aswitchable optical device, or a controller or a sensor operating inconjunction with the switchable optical device, is performing outsidethe expected performance region. The system further including logic for(i) determining a corrective action to bring a switchable opticaldevice, a controller, or a sensor identified by the logic for analyzinginto the expected performance region, and (ii) communicating thecorrective action to a remote site having the identified switchableoptical device, controller, or sensor. The system where the correctiveaction includes modifying an algorithm for controlling the switchableoptical device. The system may further include logic for (i) learning auser's preference by identifying interactions of the user with aswitchable optical devices at a site, and (ii) adjusting procedures forcontrolling the switchable optical devices to meet the user'spreference. The system may further include logic for sending data and/orcontrol messages, over the one or more interfaces, to the sites inresponse to data it receives from the sites. The system may furtherinclude a dashboard designed or configured to flag sites with switchableoptical device, controller, or sensor operating outside the expectedperformance region. The system may further include a plurality of clientmachines selected from the group including workstations, portablecomputers, and mobile computing devices, where each client machine isconfigured to present information about the functioning of theswitchable optical devices, controllers, and/or sensors devices in anyof the sites. The system may further include an application serverand/or a report server configured to interface with the clients toprovide application services and/or reports. The system may furtherinclude a data and event reporter, a data and event logger, and/or adata analyzer. In some implementations, the expected performance regionis a defined specification. The system may further include logic for (i)determining degradation in electrical current to a switchable opticaldevice in a site, and (ii) auto-correcting the degradation by directinga controller associated with the switchable optical device to increasethe switching voltage to the switchable optical device. The system mayfurther including logic for (i) predicting when a room of a remote siteis to be occupied, and (ii) automatically adjusting a tint algorithm fora switchable optical device in the room to start tinting when the roomis predicted to be occupied. The system may further including logic for(i) detecting a difference in tinting times or tinting levels fordifferent windows having switchable optical devices in a single façade,and (ii) causing all windows in the façade to tint at the same timeand/or the same tint level by auto adjusting ramping voltage parameters.The system may further include logic for providing look ahead data to asite's HVAC system and/or lighting system to thereby enabling the HVACor lighting system to enhance occupant comfort and/or save energy. Thesystem may further include logic for comparing energy savings frommultiple sites to identify algorithms and/or device types that improveenergy saving. The system may further including logic for (i) generatingfingerprints of the switchable optical devices, controllers, and/orsensors of the sites during commissioning of the remote sites, and (ii)determining performance of the switchable optical devices, controllers,and/or sensors by comparing their current fingerprints against theirearlier fingerprints generated during commissioning.

In some embodiments, the remote sites include residential buildings,office buildings, schools, airports, hospitals, and/or governmentbuildings. In certain embodiments, the data about the functioning of theswitchable optical devices includes voltage and/or current versus timedata for the switchable optical devices. In some implementations, thetime variable is associated with solar position or weather. In certainimplementations, the data about the functioning of the switchableoptical devices includes changes in peak current to the switchableoptical devices, changes in leakage current to the switchable opticaldevices, change in voltage compensation required to the switchableoptical devices, and changes in power consumption of the switchableoptical devices.

One general aspect includes a method, implemented on a site monitoringsystem, for monitoring a plurality of remote sites, each having anetwork of switchable optical devices, the method including: (a) storingdata about the functioning of the switchable optical devices in theremote sites; and (b) analyzing said data from said remote sites toidentify any of the switchable optical devices, or any controllers orsensors operating in conjunction with any of the switchable opticaldevices, that are performing outside an expected performance region.Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding computer systems,apparatus, and computer programs recorded on one or more computerstorage devices, each configured to perform the actions of the methods.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Themethod may additionally include generating a notification that aswitchable optical device, or a controller or a sensor operating inconjunction with the switchable optical device, is performing outsidethe expected performance region. The method may further include: (c)determining a corrective action to bring a switchable optical device, acontroller, or a sensor identified by the logic for analyzing into theexpected performance region; and (d) communicating said correctiveaction to a remote site having the identified switchable optical device,controller, or sensor. In some implementations, the corrective actionincludes modifying an algorithm for controlling the switchable opticaldevice. In some cases, the method further includes: (c) learning auser's preference by identifying includent interactions of the user witha switchable optical devices at a site; and (d) adjusting procedures forcontrolling the switchable optical devices to meet the user'spreference. The method may further include sending data and/or controlmessage from the site monitoring system to the sites in response to datareceived from the sites. The method may further include generatingreports about the sites using said data from said remote sites. In someimplementations, the expected performance region is a definedspecification.

In certain embodiments, the method further includes: (c) determiningdegradation in electrical current to a switchable optical device in asite; and (d) auto-correcting the degradation by directing a controllerassociated with the switchable optical device to increase the switchingvoltage to the switchable optical device. The method may furtherinclude: (c) predicting when a room of a remote site is to be occupied;and (d) automatically adjusting a tint algorithm for a switchableoptical device in the room to start tinting when the room is predictedto be occupied. The method may further include: (c) detecting adifference in tinting times or tinting levels for different windowshaving switchable optical devices in a single façade; and (d) causingall windows in the façade to tint at the same time and/or the same tintlevel by auto adjusting ramping voltage parameters. The method mayfurther include providing look ahead data to a site's HVAC system and/orlighting system to thereby enabling the HVAC or lighting system toenhance occupant comfort and/or save energy. The method may furtherinclude comparing energy savings from multiple sites to identifyalgorithms and/or device types that improve energy saving. The methodmay further include: (c) generating fingerprints of the switchableoptical devices, controllers, and/or sensors of the sites duringcommissioning of the sites; and (d) determining performance of theswitchable optical devices, controllers, and/or sensors by comparingtheir current fingerprints against their earlier fingerprints generatedduring commissioning. In certain embodiments, the remote sites areresidential buildings, office buildings, schools, airports, hospitals,and/or government buildings. In certain embodiments, the data about thefunctioning of the switchable optical devices includes voltage and/orcurrent versus time data for the switchable optical devices. As anexample, the time variable is associated with solar position or weather.In some implementations, the data about the functioning of theswitchable optical devices includes changes in peak current to theswitchable optical devices, changes in leakage current to the switchableoptical devices, change in voltage compensation required to theswitchable optical devices, and changes in power consumption of theswitchable optical devices. The method may further include receivingdata from a BMS, a network controller, and/or a window controller at aremote site. Implementations of the described techniques may includehardware, a method or process, or computer software on acomputer-accessible medium.

These and other features of the disclosure will be presented in moredetail below with reference to the associated drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a network hierarchy with a monitoringnetwork controller.

FIG. 1B depicts a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a buildingmanagement system (BMS).

FIG. 1C depicts a block diagram of a building network.

FIG. 1D is a block diagram of components of a system for controllingfunctions of one or more tintable windows of a building.

FIG. 2 is a graph depicting voltage and current profiles associated withdriving an electrochromic device from bleached to colored and fromcolored to bleached.

FIG. 3 is a graph depicting certain voltage and current profilesassociated with driving an electrochromic device from bleached tocolored.

FIG. 4 depicts a simplified block diagram of components of a windowcontroller.

FIG. 5 depicts a schematic diagram of a room including a tintable windowand at least one sensor.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing some steps of predictive control logic fora method of controlling one or more electrochromic windows in abuilding.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of an example of a user interface that can beused to enter schedule information to generate a schedule employed by awindow controller.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a dashboard for site monitoring system.

FIG. 9 presents an example of photosensor data that may be obtained by asite monitoring system.

FIG. 10 presents data showing a window's response is shown in relationto commands issued by a controller for the window. This is anotherexample of site information that may be obtained by a monitoring system.

FIG. 11 shows state transitions of windows controlled by three differentnetwork controllers in a site. This is yet another example of siteinformation that can be monitored and stored.

FIG. 12 shows site monitored data illustrating the case when a multipletinting is required to switch a device from one optical state toanother.

FIG. 13 shows site monitored data indicating degradation in theconnection of a power line to a integrated glass unit.

FIGS. 14A-D show site monitored data comparing zone state changes thatmay be used by the monitoring system to ensure that the control logic isworking properly.

FIG. 15 illustrates monitored data for multiple windows from the samezone but having different switching characteristics.

FIG. 16 illustrates monitor information showing that a zone underconsideration has one of the controllers is out of sync with rest of thecontrollers in the zone.

FIG. 17 provides monitor information for four photosensors, each facinga different direction, on a site.

FIGS. 18A-H present information used by a site monitoring system todetect and analyze a problem with a window controller in a group ofcontrollers for windows on a single façade.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This document describes a platform for monitoring one or more buildingsor other sites having switchable optical devices deployed therein. Insome cases, the sites each have one or more controllers, eachcontrolling the switching of one or more devices. The site may also havesensors such as light sensors, thermal sensors, and/or occupancysensors, for example, that provide data used in making decisions aboutwhen and by how much (tint level) to switch the devices. In certainembodiments, the optical devices are electrochromic devices onstructures such as windows and/or mirrors. In the description thatfollows, switchable optical devices are often referred to as “windows”or “electrochromic windows”. It should be understood that such termsinclude structures other windows that have switchable optical devices.Further, the switchable devices are not limited to electrochromicdevices, but include such other switchable devices as liquid crystaldevices, electrophoretic device, and the like, which may benon-pixelated.

A site monitoring system may analyze information from sites to determinewhen a device, a sensor, or a controller has a problem. The system may,if appropriate, act on the problem. In certain embodiments, the systemlearns customer/user preferences and adapts its control logic to meetthe customer's goals.

In a related way, the system may learn how to better conserve energy,sometimes through interaction with a site's lighting and/or HVACsystems, and then modify the controller settings accordingly. By doingthis over multiple sites, the system may learn entirely new energycontrol methods, which it can deploy on other sites. As an example, thesystem may learn how to control heating load when confronted with a typeof rapidly changing weather (e.g., a storm). Through experience, thesystem learns how to adjust window tinting, e.g. at sites where stormsoccur frequently, and then apply its learned mode of adjustment to othersites when storms occur there. The system may in turn learn somethingnew from adjusting window tint at the latter storm site and relay thatlearning to the previous or other sites.

In certain embodiments, the site monitoring system includes a dashboardthat flags sites with windows, sensors, and/or controllers that are outof specification. The dashboard allows a technician to view the detailsof a flagged window, sensor, or controller and see the log orperformance data of the component. Thus the system allows for proactiveand/or prophylactic adjustment and/or repair of a window, sensor orcontroller, e.g. before the end user may realize the performance of theunit is out of specification. In this way a better end user experienceis realized.

System Terminology

Site monitoring system—A processing center that communicates withmultiple sites. It receives data about the switchable optical devicesand associated controllers and sensors at the sites, and from this data,it may detect and/or present potential problems, identify trends in theperformance of devices and/or controllers, modify algorithms forcontrolling the switchable optical devices, etc. It may also send dataand/or control messages to the sites, sometimes in response to data itreceives from the sites. A site monitoring system is typically locatedremotely from one or more of the multiple sites that it monitors.

Site—This is the building or other location of installed switchableoptical devices. The sites communicate with the site monitoring systemto allow monitoring and optionally control. Examples of sites includeresidential buildings, office buildings, schools, airports, hospitals,government buildings, etc. The switchable devices may be provided in anetwork and operated under the control of one or more algorithms.Transitions from one optical state to another may be dictated byprograms or logic such as that described in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/772,969, filed Feb. 21, 2013, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. The one or more control functions (e.g.,algorithms) used to control the switchable devices may be implemented onthe site by one more window controllers, network controllers and/ormaster network controllers. As described further below, the system maysend and/or retrieve data to any or all of these controllers dependingupon the particular setup at each site that the system monitors. Forexample, the system may communicate with a master network controller atone site, while communicating with network controllers at another site.In another example, the system communicates only with master networkcontrollers at all sites. In yet another example, the system maycommunicate indirectly with one or more window controllers at a site,for example, the system may communicate directly with a buildingmanagement system which relays window controller data to the system andvice versa.

Monitoring—The principal way that the site monitoring system acquiresinformation from sites. Monitoring can provide the system withinformation about the various sensors, windows, controllers, and otherwindow systems in the sites it services.

An “optically switchable device” or “switchable optical device” is adevice that changes optical state in response to electrical input. Thedevice is typically, but not necessarily, a thin film device. Itreversibly cycles between two or more optical states. Switching betweenthese states is controlled by applying predefined current and/or voltageto the device. The device typically includes two thin conductive sheetsthat straddle at least one optically active layer. The electrical inputdriving the change in optical state is applied to the thin conductivesheets. In certain implementations, the input is provided by bus bars inelectrical communication with the conductive sheets.

While the disclosure emphasizes electrochromic devices as examples ofoptically switchable devices, the disclosure is not so limited. Examplesof other types of optically switchable device include certainelectrophoretic devices, liquid crystal devices, and the like. Opticallyswitchable devices may be provided on various optically switchableproducts, such as optically switchable windows. However, the embodimentsdisclosed herein are not limited to switchable windows. Examples ofother types of optically switchable products include mirrors, displays,and the like. In the context of this disclosure, these products aretypically provided in a non-pixelated format.

An “optical transition” is a change in any one or more opticalproperties of a switchable optical device. The optical property thatchanges may be, for example, tint, reflectivity, refractive index,color, etc. In certain embodiments, the optical transition will have adefined starting optical state and a defined ending optical state. Forexample the starting optical state may be 80% transmissivity and theending optical state may be 50% transmissivity. The optical transitionis typically driven by applying an appropriate electric potential acrossthe two thin conductive sheets of the switchable optical device.

A “starting optical state” is the optical state of a switchable opticaldevice immediately prior to the beginning of an optical transition. Thestarting optical state is typically defined as the magnitude of anoptical state which may be tint, reflectivity, refractive index, color,etc. The starting optical state may be a maximum or minimum opticalstate for the switchable optical device; e.g., 90% or 4% transmissivity.Alternatively, the starting optical state may be an intermediate opticalstate having a value somewhere between the maximum and minimum opticalstates for the switchable optical device; e.g., 50% transmissivity.

An “ending optical state” is the optical state of a switchable opticaldevice immediately after the complete optical transition from a startingoptical state. The complete transition occurs when optical state changesin a manner understood to be complete for a particular application. Forexample, a complete tinting might be deemed a transition from 75%optical transmissivity to 10% transmissivity. The ending optical statemay be a maximum or minimum optical state for the switchable opticaldevice; e.g., 90% or 4% transmissivity. Alternatively, the endingoptical state may be an intermediate optical state having a valuesomewhere between the maximum and minimum optical states for theswitchable optical device; e.g., 50% transmissivity.

“Bus bar” refers to an electrically conductive strip attached to aconductive layer such as a transparent conductive electrode spanning thearea of a switchable optical device. The bus bar delivers electricalpotential and current from an external lead to the conductive layer. Aswitchable optical device includes two or more bus bars, each connectedto a single conductive layer of the device. In various embodiments, abus bar forms a long thin line that spans most of the length or width ofa device's conductor sheets. Often, a bus bar is located near the edgeof the device.

“Applied Voltage” or V_(app) refers the difference in potential appliedto two bus bars of opposite polarity on the electrochromic device. Eachbus bar is electronically connected to a separate transparent conductivelayer. The applied voltage may different magnitudes or functions such asdriving an optical transition or holding an optical state. Between thetransparent conductive layers are sandwiched the switchable opticaldevice materials such as electrochromic materials. Each of thetransparent conductive layers experiences a potential drop between theposition where a bus bar is connected to it and a location remote fromthe bus bar. Generally, the greater the distance from the bus bar, thegreater the potential drop in a transparent conducting layer. The localpotential of the transparent conductive layers is often referred toherein as the V_(TCL). Bus bars of opposite polarity may be laterallyseparated from one another across the face of a switchable opticaldevice.

“Effective Voltage” or V_(eff) refers to the potential between thepositive and negative transparent conducting layers at any particularlocation on the switchable optical device. In Cartesian space, theeffective voltage is defined for a particular x,y coordinate on thedevice. At the point where V_(eff) is measured, the two transparentconducting layers are separated in the z-direction (by the devicematerials), but share the same x,y coordinate.

“Hold Voltage” refers to the applied voltage necessary to indefinitelymaintain the device in an ending optical state.

“Drive Voltage” refers to the applied voltage provided during at least aportion of the optical transition. The drive voltage may be viewed as“driving” at least a portion of the optical transition. Its magnitude isdifferent from that of the applied voltage immediately prior to thestart of the optical transition. In certain embodiments, the magnitudeof the drive voltage is greater than the magnitude of the hold voltage.An example application of drive and hold voltages is depicted in FIG. 3.

A window “controller” is used to control the tint level of theelectrochromic device of an electrochromic window. In some embodiments,the window controller is able to transition the electrochromic windowbetween two tint states (levels), a bleached state and a colored state.In other embodiments, the controller can additionally transition theelectrochromic window (e.g., having a single electrochromic device) tointermediate tint levels. In some disclosed embodiments, the windowcontroller is able to transition the electrochromic window to and fromfour or more tint levels. Certain electrochromic windows allowintermediate tint levels by using two (or more) electrochromic lites ina single IGU, where each lite is a two-state lite. Other electrochromicwindows allow intermediate states by varying the applied voltage to asingle electrochromic lite.

In some embodiments, a window controller can power one or moreelectrochromic devices in an electrochromic window. Typically, thisfunction of the window controller is augmented with one or more otherfunctions described in more detail below. Window controllers describedherein are not limited to those that have the function of powering anelectrochromic device to which it is associated for the purposes ofcontrol. That is, the power source for the electrochromic window may beseparate from the window controller, where the controller has its ownpower source and directs application of power from the window powersource to the window. However, it is convenient to include a powersource with the window controller and to configure the controller topower the window directly, because it obviates the need for separatewiring for powering the electrochromic window.

Further, the window controllers described in this section are describedas standalone controllers which may be configured to control thefunctions of a single window or a plurality of electrochromic windows,without integration of the window controller into a building controlnetwork or a building management system (BMS). Window controllers,however, may be integrated into a building control network or a BMS, asdescribed further in the Building Management System section of thisdisclosure.

Sites and Site Monitoring Systems

One example of network entities and a site monitoring system is depictedin FIG. 1A. As shown there, a site monitoring system 11 interfaces withmultiple monitored sites—sites 1-5. Each site has one or more switchableoptical devices such as electrochromic windows and one or morecontrollers designed or configured to control switching of the windows.The site monitoring system 11 also interfaces with multiple clientmachines—clients 1-4. The clients may be workstations, portablecomputers, mobile devices such as smartphones, and the like, each ableto present information about the functioning of devices in the sites.Personnel associated with site monitoring system 11 may access thisinformation from one or more of the clients. In some instances, theclients are configured to communicate with one another. In someimplementations, personnel associated with one or more sites may accessa subset of the information via a client. In various implementations,the client machines run one or more applications designed or configuredto present views and analysis of the optical device information for someor all of the sites.

Site monitoring system 11 may contain various hardware and/or softwareconfigurations. In the depicted embodiment, system 11 includes a datawarehouse 13, an application server 15, and a report server 17. The datawarehouse interfaces directly with the sites. It stores data from thesites in a relational database or other data storage arrangement. In oneembodiment, the data is stored in database or other data repository suchas an Oracle DB, a Sequel DB, or a custom designed database. Datawarehouse 13 may obtain information from any of a number of entitiessuch as master network controllers at the sites. Examples of networkarrangements containing a hierarchy of controllers are described belowwith reference to FIGS. 1B-D. Application server 15 and report server 17interface with the clients to provide application services and reports,respectively. In one embodiment, the report server runs Tableau, Jump,Actuate, or a custom designed report generator. In the depictedembodiment, data warehouse 13 and application server 15 each provideinformation to report server 17. Communication between data warehouse 13and application server 15 is bidirectional, as is communication betweendata warehouse 13 and report server 17 as well as application server 15and report server 17.

Examples of site configurations are shown in FIGS. 1B-D and discussedbelow. In certain embodiments, a site includes (a) multiple switchableoptical devices, each directly controlled by a (window) controller, (b)multiple sensors such as illumination sensors, and (c) one or morehigher level controllers such as network controllers and master networkcontrollers.

The site monitoring system may include one or more interfaces forcommunicating with the remote sites. These interfaces are typicallyports or connections for securely communicating over the internet. Ofcourse, other forms of network interfaces may be used. The data may becompressed before sending from a site to the site monitoring system. Thesite monitoring system may interface with the individual sites via awireless connection or cable connection. In certain embodiments, thesite monitoring system is implemented in the “cloud”. A site monitoringsystem can be centralized or distributed and can be accessed fromanywhere using client application by authorized personnel. The variouscomponents of the system may be located together or apart in one or moresites, a location remote from all sites and/or in the cloud. Additionalfeatures, functions, modules, etc. of the site monitoring system mayinclude a data and event reporter, a data and event log and/or adatabase, data analyzer/reporter, and communicator.

While in many embodiments, all or most of the site data analysis isperformed at the site monitoring system, this is not always the case. Insome implementations, some site level analytics, data compression, etc.is performed at the remote site prior to sending site data to the sitemonitoring system. For example a network or master network controllermay have sufficient processing power and other resources for conductinganalytics, data compression, etc. and thus processing may be distributedto take advantage of this. This distribution of processing power may notbe static, that is, depending on what functions are being performed, themonitoring system may draw on remote processors for performing theaforementioned tasks, or not. Thus the monitoring system may beconfigured with the flexibility of using remote processors at the siteor not.

Through monitoring of the sensors and controllers at the variousinstallations, a site monitoring system can provide any one or more ofthe following services:

a. Customer service—the site monitoring system will note when data froma switchable device, a sensor, and/or a controller indicates a problem.The problem may be immediate, such as a malfunction, or an impendingproblem can be anticipated, e.g. when a component's performance driftsfrom specified parameters (while still functioning adequately). Inresponse, service personnel may visit the remote location to correct theproblem and/or communicate to the remote location, installation thatthere is a problem. In the latter scenario, service personnel may, e.g.,reprogram the switchable device's controller to compensate for a driftfrom specification. In some instances, potential issues are flagged andresolved before they become apparent at a site. For example, theaforementioned reprogramming may provide adequate performance from thewindow permanently or provide adequate performance until a field serviceperson can visit the site and replace or repair the unit. Additionally,the monitoring system may be configured to autocorrect problems withsites. Unless stated otherwise, any of the problems, issues, errors,etc. described herein can be autocorrected using heuristics in the sitemonitoring system. In one example, the monitoring system detects a driftfrom specification in an electrochromic window and automaticallyreprograms the window's controller(s) to compensate for the drift. Thesystem also alerts service personnel as to this event. The servicepersonnel can then decide the best course of action, e.g., furtherreprogramming, replacing the window, replacing the controller, and thelike. The occupant may have no indication that anything has gone awrywith the window and/or controller, the occupant's perception of thewindow's performance may be unchanged throughout these.

-   Alert notifications may be sent when issues are detected.-   This system enables quick resolution of problems. For example, a    dashboard interface may provide the ability to drill down into    issues from a high level summary. From the high level summary, the    system may provide easy access to site-specific context based log    file sections, schematics, pictures and reports. In some    implementations, the system flags an entire site when one or more    problems with the site are identified. In this way, persons    interacting with the system need not be exposed to minutiae    concerning the issue until they want such information. Thus, e.g.,    service personnel can quickly choose a flagged site, and drill down    to the actual problem, which may be e.g. a single window with a    non-critical issue. This allows the service personal to (a) quickly    determine where problems arise, (b) quickly determine the nature of    the problem at each site, and (c) prioritize any problems    effectively. See FIG. 8.-   The system may also provide look ahead data to a site's other    systems such as HVAC systems, thereby enabling such systems to    enhance user comfort and/or save energy.

b. Customize the installation based on observed usage trends. Userpreferences may be incorporated in a program over time. As an example,the site monitoring system may determine how an end user (e.g. occupant)tries to override a window control algorithm at particular times of dayand uses this information to predict future behavior of the user. It maymodify the window control algorithm to set tint levels according to thelearned user preference.

c. Deploy learned approaches to other installations (e.g., how to besttint windows when an afternoon thunderstorm approaches). There arebenefits achieved in using the collective experience and informationfrom an installed base of switchable device networks. For example, ithelps to fine tune control algorithms, customize window/network productsfor a particular market segment, and/or test new ideas (e.g., controlalgorithms, sensor placement).

Data Monitored

-   The following description presents examples of some types of site    information that may be monitored by a site monitoring system. The    information may be provided from various sources such as voltage    and/or current versus time data for individual switchable devices,    sensor output version time, communications and network events and    logs for controller networks, etc. The time variable may be    associated with external events such as solar position, weather,    etc. Information with a periodic component may be analyzed in the    frequency domain as well as the time domain. Some of the information    described in this section may be considered in the context of the    figures presented herein.

1. From window controllers I/V data:

-   -   a. Changes in peak current [this is sometimes produced during        application of a ramp to drive voltage for producing an optical        transition. See FIGS. 2 and 3.]    -   b. Changes in hold (leakage) current [this may be observed at an        end state of a switchable device. A rate of increasing leakage        current may correlate with the likelihood that a short has        developed in the device. Sometimes a short causes an undesirable        blemish such as a halo in the device. These may be field        serviceable using, e.g., a portable defect mitigation apparatus        such as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.        13/859,623, filed Apr. 9, 2013, which is incorporated herein by        reference in its entirety.]    -   c. Change in voltage compensation required [Voltage compensation        is the change in voltage required to account for the voltage        drop in the conductive path from the power supply to the        switchable device.]    -   d. Change in total charge transferred [measured over a period of        time and/or during a certain state of the switchable device        (e.g., during drive or during hold).]    -   e. Change in power consumption [Power consumption may be        calculated by (I*V) per window or controller.]    -   f. Comparison with other WC (window controllers) on the same        façade with identical loads [This allows the monitoring system        to determine that a particular controller has an issue, rather        than a particular device controlled by the controller. For        example, a window controller may be connected to five insulated        glass units, each exhibiting the same issue. Because it is        unlikely that five devices will all suffer from the same issue,        the monitoring system may conclude that the controller is to        blame.]    -   g. Instances of abnormal profiles: e.g., double tinting/double        clearing [Double tinting/clearing refers to a situation where a        normal drive cycle (voltage and/or current profile) is applied        and it is found that the switchable device has not switched, in        which case a second drive cycle must be conducted. See FIG. 12.]    -   h. Switching characteristics vs. external weather [At certain        temperatures or weather conditions, the monitoring system        expects particular switching results or performance. Deviations        from the expected response suggests an issue with a controller,        a switchable device, and/or a sensor.]

The changes and comparisons described here can be produced from datacollected at, e.g., the network controller level. Historical data (days,weeks, months, years) is preserved in the site monitoring system, andsuch data can be used for comparison. With such data, variations due totemperature can be identified and ignored, if appropriate. The variouschanges, along or in combination, may provide a signature of a problemin a window, a controller, a sensor, etc. Any one or more of theforegoing parameters may identify an increase in impedance at anyposition from the power supply to (and including) the switchable device.This path may include the switchable device, a bus bar connected to thedevice, a lead attach to the bus bar, a connector to the lead attach orIGU, a group of wires (sometimes called a “pigtail”) between theconnector (or IGU) and the power supply. As an example, a change in anyor more of parameters 1a-1e may indicate corrosion caused by water in awindow frame. A model using a combination of these parameters mayrecognize the signature of such corrosion and accurately report thisissue remotely.

2. From window controller state and zone state changes:

-   -   a. Any window controller getting out of sync with its zone—for        example, this may be due to communication issues [Example: If        there are multiple controllers in a zone of a site, and one of        these controllers does behave as expected, the site monitoring        system may conclude that the aberrant controller is not        receiving or following commands over a communications network.        The site monitoring system can take action to isolate the source        of the problem and correct it.]    -   b. Longest switching time for the zone and adjustments to make        all glass switch at the same rate [The site monitoring system        may identify a particular switchable device that is not        switching at a desired rate or an expected rate. See FIG. 15.        Without replacing or modifying the device, the monitoring site        may modify the switching algorithm so that the device switches        at the expected rate. For example, i f a device is observed to        switch too slowly, its ramp to drive or drive voltage may be        increased. This can be done remotely, and automatically in        certain embodiments.]

3. From system logs:

-   -   a. Any change in frequency of communication errors—increase in        noise or device degradation [The received communications from a        controller may be slowed or stopped. Or, the send communications        may not be acknowledged or acted upon.]    -   b. Connection degradation if a pigtail (or other connection)        starts showing up as disconnected [In certain embodiments, a        connector, e.g including a memory and/or logic, provides a        signal indicating that it is becoming disconnected. A window        controller may receive such signals, which can be logged at the        remote site monitoring system. See FIG. 13. A further        description pigtails and other electrical connection features is        presented in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/363,769, filed        Nov. 27, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its        entirety.]

4. From photosensor data:

-   -   a. Any degradation over time [This may be manifest as a signal        magnitude reduction. It may be caused by various factors        including damage to the sensor, dirt on the sensor, an        obstruction appearing in front of the sensor, etc.]    -   b. Correlation with external weather [Normally, the site        monitoring system will assume that the photosensor output should        correlate with the weather.]    -   c. Comparison with zone state change to ensure that a site's        window control technology is working correctly [The site        monitoring system normally expects that the zone will change        state when its photosensor output meets certain state-change        criteria. For example, if the sensor indicates a transition to        sunny conditions, the switchable devices in the zone should        tint. In certain embodiments, there are one or more photosensors        per zone. See FIGS. 14A-D.]    -   d. Any changes in surroundings after commissioning [As an        example, a tree grows in front of one or more sensors, a        building is constructed in front of one or more sensors or a        construction scaffold is erected in front of one or more        sensors. Such changes in surroundings may be evidenced by        multiple sensors affected by the changes being similarly        affected (e.g., their photosensor outputs go down at the same        time). Among other purposes, commissioning serves to provide        information about the deployment of sensors, controllers, and/or        switchable optical devices in a site. Commissioning is further        described in PCT Application No. PCT/US2013/036456, filed Apr.        12, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its        entirety.]

5. From log file analysis of driver of state changes:

-   -   a. Overrides by zone—further tuning of control algorithms for        the zone [The site monitoring system may learn the requirements        of a particular site and adapt its learning algorithm to address        the requirements. Various types of adaptive learning are        described in PCT Application No. PCT/US2013/036456, filed Apr.        12, 2013, which was previously incorporated herein by reference        in its entirety.]    -   b. Mobile device vs. Wall Switch overrides—consumer preference        [When overrides are observed, the monitoring system may note        which type of device initiated the override, e.g., a wall switch        or a mobile device. More frequent use of wall switches may        indicate a training issue or a problem with the window        application on the mobile device.]    -   c. Time/Frequency of various states—usefulness of each state        [When multiple tint states are available, and some are        underused, it may indicate to the remote monitoring system that        there is an issue with a particular state. The system may change        the transmissivity or other characteristic of the state.]    -   d. Variation by market segment [The frequency of use        (popularity) of certain states or other properties of a site's        switching characteristics may correlate with a market segment.        When a site monitoring system learns this, it may develop and        provide market-specific algorithms. Examples of market segments        include airports, hospitals, office buildings, schools,        government buildings, etc.]    -   e. Total number of transitions—Expected number of cycles over        warranty period and life by market segment. [This may provide in        situ lifecycle information. See FIG. 12.]

6. Energy calculations:

-   -   a. Energy saved by zone by season, total system energy saving by        season [The site monitoring system may compare energy savings        from multiple sites to identify algorithms, device types,        structures, etc. that provide improvements. Compare sites and        improve lower performing sites. See FIGS. 14B and D.]    -   b. Provide advanced energy load information to AC system by zone        [Buildings have large thermal masses, so air conditioning and        heating do not take effect immediately. Using a solar calculator        or other predictive tools (described elsewhere herein), the site        monitoring system can provide advance notice to HVAC systems so        they can begin a transition early. It may be desirable to        provide this information by zone. Moreover, a site monitoring        system may tint one or more windows or zones to aid the HVAC        system in doing its job. For example, i f a heat load is        expected on a particular façade, the site monitoring system may        provide advance notice to the HVAC system and also tint windows        on that side of the building to reduce what would otherwise be        the HVAC's cooling requirements. Depending upon the tinting        speed of the windows, the site monitoring system can calculate        and time tinting and HVAC activation sequences appropriately.        For example, if the windows tint slowly, the HVAC activation may        be sooner, if they tint quickly, then the HVAC signal to action        may be delayed or ramped more slowly to reduce load on the        system. See FIGS. 14B and D.]

In certain embodiments, the windows, controllers, and/or sensors havetheir performance or response checked at an initial point in time andthereafter rechecked repeatedly. In some cases, recentperformance/response measurements are compared with earlierperformance/response measurements to detect trends, deviations,stability, etc. If necessary, adjustments can be made or service can beprovided to address trends or deviations detected during comparisons.The collection of relevant parameters for a window, sensor, orcontroller may serve as a “fingerprint” for the device. Such parametersinclude voltage response, current response, communications fidelity,etc. as described elsewhere herein. In some embodiments, windows,sensors, and/or controllers are checked and optionally fingerprinted atthe factory. For example, a switchable window may go through a burn inprocedure during which relevant parameters can be extracted. Windowsexhibiting problems can have their current performance compared againstearlier fingerprints to optionally determine whether the problemdeveloped after shipping/installation or during operation. Fingerprintscan also be generated, optionally automatically, when the devices arecommissioned (e.g., installed at a site and initially detected andcataloged). Fingerprints can be stored in a memory associated with thewindow, e.g. in a pigtail. The site monitoring system may reprogram thememory in the pigtail (or other memory) remotely and automatically incertain embodiments. Commissioning is described in PCT Patentapplication No. PCT/US2013/036456, filed Apr. 12, 2013, and incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

In certain embodiments, during commissioning at a new site, the sitemonitoring system compares a designed site layout to the actual, ascommissioned layout, to flag any discrepancy at time of commissioning.This may be used to correct a device, controller, etc. at the site or tocorrect design document. In some cases, the site monitoring systemsimply verifies that all window controllers, network controllers, zones,etc. match between design document and actual site implementation. Inother cases, a more extensive analysis is conducted, which may verifycable lengths etc. The comparison may also identify installationproblems such as incorrect photosensor orientations, defectivephotosensors, etc., and optionally automatically correct such problems.As indicated, during commissioning, the site monitoring system mayobtain and store initial fingerprints of many or all individualcomponents in the site, including voltage/current measurements atswitchable optical devices for different device transitions. Suchfingerprints may be used to periodically check the site and detectdegradation in upstream hardware (i.e. wiring, power supplies,uninterrupted power supply (UPS)), as well as window controllers andswitchable optical devices. Using a UPS in a switchable optical windownetwork is described in U.S. Patent Application No. 62/019,325, filedJun. 30, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

Auto-Detection and Auto-Correction by the Site Monitoring System

While much of the discussion herein focuses on systems for detecting anddiagnosing issues with networks of switchable optical devices, a furtheraspect of the disclosure concerns a site monitoring system thatleverages these capabilities to automatically collect data,automatically detect problems and potential problems, automaticallynotify personnel or systems of problems or potential problems,automatically correcting such problems or potential problems, and/orautomatically interfacing with building or corporate systems to analyzedata, implement corrections, generate service tickets, etc.

Examples of this automatic features of site monitoring systems

1. If there is a slow degradation in current to a window (or othersignature of non-fatal issue with switching current received by awindow), the site monitoring system can auto-correct this issue by, forexample, directing a controller associated with the window to increasethe switching voltage to the window. The system may calculate anincrease in voltage using empirical and/or analytic techniques thatrelate changes in current drawn or optical switching properties tochanges in applied voltage. The changes in voltage may be limited to arange such as a range defining safe levels of voltage or current for thedevices in the window network. The changes to the voltage may beimplemented by the site monitoring system reprogramming one or morememories storing tint transition instructions for the window inquestion. For example, a memory associated with the window, e.g. in apigtail of the window, is programmed from the factory to contain windowparameters that allow a window controller to determine appropriate drivevoltages for the electrochromic coating associated with the window. Ifthere is degradation or similar issues, one or more of these parametersmay need change and so the site monitoring system reprograms the memory.This may be done, e.g., if the window controller automatically generatesdrive voltage parameters based on the stored values in the memory (e.g.,a memory associated with the pigtail). That is, rather than the sitemonitoring system sending new drive parameters to the window controller,the system may simply reprogram the window memory so the windowcontroller can determine new drive parameters itself. Of course, thesite monitoring system may also provide the tint transition parametersto the window controller, which can then apply them according to its owninternal protocol, which may involve storing them in an associatedmemory or providing them to a higher level network controller.

2. If there is a slow degradation in photosensor (or other signature ofnon-fatal issue with a sensor) causing a lower than accurate reading,the site monitoring system can auto-correct the sensor reading beforeusing the reading for other purposes such as input for optical deviceswitching algorithms. In certain embodiments, the site monitoring systemapplies an offset within some limit to compensate a photosensor reading.This allows for, e.g., uninterrupted occupant comfort and automaticadjustment of window tinting for improved aesthetics. Again, forexample, the occupant may not realize that any of these changes to thewindow and/or related components or software has occurred.

3. If the system detects that a room is occupied or learns that the roomis commonly occupied, and the tinting algorithm applies a tint after theglare begins, the site monitoring system may automatically adjust thetint algorithm to start earlier, when the room is occupied or predictedto be occupied. In certain embodiments, glare is detected by aphotosensor located in a room or outside a room where the glare occurs.The algorithm may employ an occupancy sensor located within the room.

4. When the system detects a difference in tinting times for differentwindows in the same façade, it may cause all windows to tint at the sametime and, if desired, to the same tint level by auto adjusting rampingvoltage parameters (if the occupant wants whole façade tinting at thesame time).

5. The site monitoring system may detect a window controller that is outof synchronization with other window controllers for a group of windowsin a zone or a façade. The description of FIGS. 18A-H contains adetailed explanation of such example. The system may then bring thewindow back into sync automatically by adjusting the applied switchingvoltage or taking other remedial action within its control.

Ancillary Services

The remote monitoring system may collect and use local climateinformation, site lighting information, site thermal load information,and/or weather feed data for various purposes. A few examples follow.

Weather Service Rating: There are existing services that rely on weatherfeeds/data to sell and/or enable their services. For example, “smartsprinklers” and even landscaping companies using conventional sprinklersystems use weather data to program their watering patterns. Theseweather data are often local, e.g. zip code based data, and there aremultiple sources of weather data. In certain embodiments, the remotemonitoring system uses actual data it collects to rate what weatherservices predict for any given area. The system may determine which ismost accurate and provide that rating to services that rely on weatherfeeds. Any given weather service may be more accurate depending on thegeographical area, e.g. weather service A might be best in SanFrancisco, but not as good in the Santa Clara Valley (where service B isbetter). The system can provide a rating service identifying whichweather feed is more reliable for a given area, by collecting its actualsensor data, doing statistical analysis, and providing to customers asvaluable intelligence. This information is useful for entities otherthan sites; examples include sprinkler companies, companies that use orcontrol solar panels, outdoor venues, any entity that relies on theweather.

Weather Service: A site monitoring system can collect sensor data liveover large geographic areas. In certain embodiments, it provides thisdata to weather services so that they can more accurately provideweather data. In other words, weather services rely heavily on satelliteimagery and larger sky pattern data feeds. Information from one moresites with switchable optical devices and associated sensors, widelydeployed, can provide real time ground level information on sun, clouds,heat, etc. Combining these two data, more accurate weather forecasts canbe achieved. This approach may be viewed as creating a sensor net acrossthe country or other geographic region where multiple sites exist.

Consumer Behavior: Indirect data from end user patterns can be gleaned,e.g. by knowing when/how end users tint or bleach optically tintablewindows in any geographical location or region. In certain embodiments,data collected by the site monitoring system is analyzed for patternsthat may have value to other consumer products vendors. For example,“heavy tinters” may indicate: aversion to sun/heat, the fact that highsun levels are present, the need for more water in a region, a regionripe for more sunglasses sales, etc. Likewise, “heavy bleachers” mayindicate opposite trends that will be useful to vendors that sell, e.g.:sun lamps, tea, books, heating pads, furnaces, tanning booths, and thelike.

Building Management System (BMS)

A BMS is a computer-based control system installed at a site (e.g., abuilding) that can monitor and control the site's mechanical andelectrical equipment such as ventilation, lighting, power systems,elevators, fire systems, and security systems. In certain embodiments, aBMS may be designed or configured to communicate with a site monitoringsystem to receive control signals and communicate monitored informationfrom systems at the site. A BMS consists of hardware, includinginterconnections by communication channels to a computer or computers,and associated software for maintaining conditions in the site accordingto preferences set by the occupants, site manager, and/or sitemonitoring system manager. For example, a BMS may be implemented using alocal area network, such as Ethernet. The software can be based on, forexample, internet protocols and/or open standards. One example ofsoftware is software from Tridium, Inc. (of Richmond, Va.). Onecommunications protocol commonly used with a BMS is BACnet (buildingautomation and control networks).

A BMS is most common in a large building, and typically functions atleast to control the environment within the building. For example, a BMSmay control temperature, carbon dioxide levels, and humidity within abuilding. Typically, there are many mechanical devices that arecontrolled by a BMS such as heaters, air conditioners, blowers, vents,and the like. To control the building environment, a BMS may turn on andoff these various devices under defined conditions. A core function of atypical modern BMS is to maintain a comfortable environment for thebuilding's occupants while minimizing heating and cooling costs/demand.Thus, a modern BMS is used not only to monitor and control, but also tooptimize the synergy between various systems, for example, to conserveenergy and lower building operation costs.

In some embodiments, a window controller is integrated with a BMS, wherethe window controller is configured to control one or moreelectrochromic windows or other tintable windows. In one embodiment,each of the one or more tintable windows includes at least one all solidstate and inorganic electrochromic device. In another embodiment, eachof the one or more tintable windows includes only all solid state andinorganic electrochromic devices. In another embodiment, one or more ofthe tintable windows are multistate electrochromic windows, as describedin U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/851,514, filed on Aug. 5, 2010,and entitled “Multipane Electrochromic Windows.”

FIG. 1B depicts a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a site network1100 having a BMS that manages a number of systems of a building,including security systems, heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC),lighting of the building, power systems, elevators, fire systems, andthe like. Security systems may include magnetic card access, turnstiles,solenoid driven door locks, surveillance cameras, burglar alarms, metaldetectors, and the like. Fire systems may include fire alarms and firesuppression systems including a water plumbing control. Lighting systemsmay include interior lighting, exterior lighting, emergency warninglights, emergency exit signs, and emergency floor egress lighting. Powersystems may include the main power, backup power generators, anduninterrupted power source (UPS) grids.

Also, the BMS manages a master window controller 1102. In this example,master window controller 1102 is depicted as a distributed network ofwindow controllers including a master network controller, 1103,intermediate network controllers, 1105 a and 1105 b, and end or leafcontrollers 1110. End or leaf controllers 1110 may be similar to windowcontroller 450 described with respect to FIGS. 4 and 5. For example,master network controller 1103 may be in proximity to the BMS, and eachfloor of building 1101 may have one or more intermediate networkcontrollers 1105 a and 1105 b, while each window of the building has itsown end or leaf controller 1110. In this example, each of controllers1110 controls a specific tintable window of building 1101. In certainembodiments, master window controller 1102 and/or master networkcontroller 1103 communicates with the site monitoring system orcomponent thereof such as a data warehouse.

Each of controllers 1110 can be in a separate location from the tintablewindow that it controls, or can be integrated into the tintable window.For simplicity, only ten tintable windows of building 1101 are depictedas controlled by master window controller 1102. In a typical settingthere may be a large number of tintable windows in a building controlledby master window controller 1102. Master window controller 1102 need notbe a distributed network of window controllers. For example, a singleend controller which controls the functions of a single tintable windowalso falls within the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein, asdescribed above. Advantages and features of incorporating tintablewindow controllers as described herein with BMSs are described below inmore detail and in relation to FIG. 1B, where appropriate.

One aspect of the disclosed embodiments is a BMS including amultipurpose window controller as described herein. By incorporatingfeedback from a window controller, a BMS can provide, for example,enhanced: 1) environmental control, 2) energy savings, 3) security, 4)flexibility in control options, 5) improved reliability and usable lifeof other systems due to less reliance thereon and therefore lessmaintenance thereof, 6) information availability and diagnostics, 7)effective use of staff, and various combinations of these, because thetintable windows can be automatically controlled. In certainembodiments, any one or more of these functions can be provided by thesite monitoring system, which may communicate with windows and windowcontrollers directly or indirectly, via a BMS.

In some embodiments, a BMS may not be present or a BMS may be presentbut may not communicate with a master network controller or communicateat a high level with a master network controller such as when a sitemonitoring system communicates with the master window controllerdirectly. In these embodiments, a master network controller can provide,for example, enhanced: 1) environmental control, 2) energy savings, 3)flexibility in control options, 4) improved reliability and usable lifeof other systems due to less reliance thereon and therefore lessmaintenance thereof, 5) information availability and diagnostics, 6)effective use of staff, and various combinations of these, because thetintable windows can be automatically controlled. In these embodiments,maintenance on the BMS would not interrupt control of the tintablewindows.

In certain embodiments, a BMS may be in communication with a sitemonitoring system to receive control signals and transmit monitored datafrom one or more systems in a site network. In other embodiments, thesite monitoring system may be in direct communication with the masterwindow controller and/or other systems in a site network to manage thesystems.

FIG. 1C depicts a block diagram of an embodiment of a site network 1200for a site (e.g., building). As noted above, the network 1200 may employany number of different communication protocols, including BACnet. Asshown, site network 1200 includes a master network controller 1205, alighting control panel 1210, a BMS 1215, a security control system,1220, and a user console, 1225. These different controllers and systemsat the site may be used to receive input from and/or control a HVACsystem 1230, lights 1235, security sensors 1240, door locks 1245,cameras 1250, and tintable windows 1255, of the site.

Lighting Control Panel for Building

Master network controller 1205 may function in a similar manner asmaster network controller 1103 described with respect to FIG. 1B.Lighting control panel 1210 may include circuits to control the interiorlighting, the exterior lighting, the emergency warning lights, theemergency exit signs, and the emergency floor egress lighting. Lightingcontrol panel 1210 also may include occupancy sensors in the rooms ofthe site. BMS 1215 may include a computer server that receives data fromand issues commands to the other systems and controllers of site network1200. For example, BMS 1215 may receive data from and issue commands toeach of the master network controller 1205, lighting control panel 1210,and security control system 1220. Security control system 1220 mayinclude magnetic card access, turnstiles, solenoid driven door locks,surveillance cameras, burglar alarms, metal detectors, and the like.User console 1225 may be a computer terminal that can be used by thesite manager to schedule operations of, control, monitor, optimize, andtroubleshoot the different systems of the site. Software from Tridium,Inc. may generate visual representations of data from different systemsfor user console 1225.

Each of the different controls may control individual devices/apparatus.Master network controller 1205 controls windows 1255. Lighting controlpanel 1210 controls lights 1235. BMS 1215 may control HVAC 1230.Security control system 1220 controls security sensors 1240, door locks1245, and cameras 1250. Data may be exchanged and/or shared between allof the different devices/apparatus and controllers that are part of sitenetwork 1200.

In some cases, the systems of site network 1100 or site network 1200 mayrun according to daily, monthly, quarterly, or yearly schedules. Forexample, the lighting control system, the window control system, theHVAC, and the security system may operate on a 24 hour scheduleaccounting for when people are at the site during the work day. Atnight, the site may enter an energy savings mode, and during the day,the systems may operate in a manner that minimizes the energyconsumption of the site while providing for occupant comfort. As anotherexample, the systems may shut down or enter an energy savings mode overa holiday period.

The scheduling information may be combined with geographicalinformation. Geographical information may include the latitude andlongitude of a site such as, for example, a building. In the case of abuilding, geographical information also may include information aboutthe direction that each side of the building faces. Using suchinformation, different rooms on different sides of the building may becontrolled in different manners. For example, for east facing rooms ofthe building in the winter, the window controller may instruct thewindows to have no tint in the morning so that the room warms up due tosunlight shining in the room and the lighting control panel may instructthe lights to be dim because of the lighting from the sunlight. The westfacing windows may be controllable by the occupants of the room in themorning because the tint of the windows on the west side may have noimpact on energy savings. However, the modes of operation of the eastfacing windows and the west facing windows may switch in the evening(e.g., when the sun is setting, the west facing windows are not tintedto allow sunlight in for both heat and lighting).

Described below is an example of a site such as, for example, thebuilding 1101 in FIG. 1B, that includes a site network, tintable windowsfor the exterior windows (e.g., windows separating the interior of thebuilding from the exterior of the building), and a number of differentsensors. Light from exterior windows of a building generally has aneffect on the interior lighting in the building about 20 feet or about30 feet from the windows. That is, space in a building that is more thatabout 20 feet or about 30 feet from an exterior window receives littlelight from the exterior window. Such spaces away from exterior windowsin a building are lit by lighting systems of the building.

Further, the temperature within a building may be influenced by exteriorlight and/or the exterior temperature. For example, on a cold day andwith the building being heated by a heating system, rooms closer todoors and/or windows will lose heat faster than the interior regions ofthe building and be cooler compared to the interior regions.

For exterior condition monitoring, the building may include exteriorsensors on the roof of the building. Alternatively, the building mayinclude an exterior sensor associated with each exterior window or anexterior sensor on each side of the building. An exterior sensor on eachside of the building could track the irradiance on a side of thebuilding as the sun changes position throughout the day.

When a window controller is integrated into a site network, outputs fromexterior sensors may be input to a site network and/or site monitoringsystem. In some cases, these outputs may be provided as input to a localwindow controller. For example, in some embodiments, output signals fromany two or more exterior sensors are received. In some embodiments, onlyone output signal is received, and in some other embodiments, three,four, five, or more outputs are received. These output signals may bereceived over a site network.

In some embodiments, the output signals received by sensor(s) include asignal indicating energy or power consumption by a heating system, acooling system, and/or lighting within the building. For example, theenergy or power consumption of the heating system, the cooling system,and/or the lighting of the building may be monitored to provide thesignal indicating energy or power consumption. Devices may be interfacedwith or attached to the circuits and/or wiring of the building to enablethis monitoring. Alternatively, the power systems in the building may beinstalled such that the power consumed by the heating system, a coolingsystem, and/or lighting for an individual room within the building or agroup of rooms within the building can be monitored.

Tint instructions can be provided to change to tint of the tintablewindow to a determined level of tint. For example, referring to FIG. 1B,this may include master network controller 1103 issuing commands to oneor more intermediate network controllers 1105 a and 1105 b, which inturn issue commands to end controllers 1110 that control each window ofthe building. Master network controller 1103 may issue commands based oncommands received from a BMS and/or a site monitoring system. Endcontrollers 1100 may apply voltage and/or current to the window to drivethe change in tint pursuant to the instructions.

In some embodiments, a site including tintable windows may be enrolledin or participate in a demand response program run by the utility orutilities providing power to the site. The program may be a program inwhich the energy consumption of the site is reduced when a peak loadoccurrence is expected. The utility may send out a warning signal priorto an expected peak load occurrence. For example, the warning may besent on the day before, the morning of, or about one hour before theexpected peak load occurrence. A peak load occurrence may be expected tooccur on a hot summer day when cooling systems/air conditioners aredrawing a large amount of power from the utility, for example. Thewarning signal may be received by a BMS of a building, by the sitemonitoring system, or by window controllers configured to control thetintable windows in the building. This warning signal can be an overridemechanism that disengages the tinting control. The BMS or sitemonitoring system can then instruct the window controller(s) totransition the appropriate electrochromic device in the tintablewindowsto a dark tint level aid in reducing the power draw of the coolingsystems in the building at the time when the peak load is expected.

In some embodiments, tintable windows (e.g., electrochromic windows) ofwindows of a site may be grouped into zones with tintable windows in azone being instructed in a similar manner. For example, the exteriorwindows of the site (i.e., windows separating the interior from theexterior of a building), may be grouped into zones, with tintablewindows in a zone being instructed in a similar manner. For example,groups of tintable windows on different floors of the building ordifferent sides of a building may be in different zones. In one case, onthe first floor of the building, all of the east facing tintable windowsmay be in zone 1, all of the south facing tintable windows may be inzone 2, all of the west facing tintable windows may be in zone 3, andall of the north facing tintable windows may be in zone 4. In anothercase, all of the tintable windows on the first floor of the building maybe in zone 1, all of the tintable windows on the second floor may be inzone 2, and all of the tintable windows on the third floor may be inzone 3. In yet another case, all of the east facing tintable windows maybe in zone 1, all of the south facing tintable windows may be in zone 2,all of the west facing tintable windows may be in zone 3, and all of thenorth facing tintable windows may be in zone 4. As yet another case,east facing tintable windows on one floor could be divided intodifferent zones. Any number of tintable windows on the same side and/ordifferent sides and/or different floors of the building may be assignedto a zone.

In some embodiments, tintable windows in a zone may be controlled by thesame window controller. In some other embodiments, tintable windows in azone may be controlled by different window controllers, but the windowcontrollers may all receive the same output signals from sensors and usethe same function or lookup table to determine the level of tint for thewindows in a zone.

In some embodiments, tintable windows in a zone may be controlled by awindow controller or controllers that receive an output signal from atransmissivity sensor. In some embodiments, the transmissivity sensormay be mounted proximate the windows in a zone. For example, thetransmissivity sensor may be mounted in or on a frame containing an IGU(e.g., mounted in or on a mullion, the horizontal sash of a frame)included in the zone. In some other embodiments, tintable windows in azone that includes the windows on a single side of the building may becontrolled by a window controller or controllers that receive an outputsignal from a transmissivity sensor.

In some embodiments, a sensor (e.g., photosensor) may provide an outputsignal to a window controller to control the tintable windows of a firstzone (e.g., a master control zone). The window controller may alsocontrol the tintable windows in a second zone (e.g., a slave controlzone) in the same manner as the first zone. In some other embodiments,another window controller may control the tintable windows in the secondzone in the same manner as the first zone.

In some embodiments, a site manager, occupants of rooms in the secondzone, or other person may manually instruct (using a tint or clearcommand or a command from a user console of a BMS, for example) thetintable windows in the second zone (i.e., the slave control zone) toenter a tint level such as a colored state (level) or a clear state. Insome embodiments, when the tint level of the windows in the second zoneis overridden with such a manual command, the tintable windows in thefirst zone (i.e., the master control zone) remain under control of thewindow controller receiving output from the transmissivity sensor. Thesecond zone may remain in a manual command mode for a period of time andthen revert back to be under control of the window controller receivingoutput from the transmissivity sensor. For example, the second zone maystay in a manual mode for one hour after receiving an override command,and then may revert back to be under control of the window controllerreceiving output from the transmissivity sensor.

In some embodiments, a site manager, occupants of rooms in the firstzone, or other person may manually instruct (using a tint command or acommand from a user console of a BMS, for example) the windows in thefirst zone (i.e., the master control zone) to enter a tint level such asa colored state or a clear state. In some embodiments, when the tintlevel of the windows in the first zone is overridden with such a manualcommand, the tintable windows in the second zone (i.e., the slavecontrol zone) remain under control of the window controller receivingoutputs from the exterior sensor. The first zone may remain in a manualcommand mode for a period of time and then revert back to be undercontrol of window controller receiving output from the transmissivitysensor. For example, the first zone may stay in a manual mode for onehour after receiving an override command, and then may revert back to beunder control of the window controller receiving output from thetransmissivity sensor. In some other embodiments, the tintable windowsin the second zone may remain in the tint level that they are in whenthe manual override for the first zone is received. The first zone mayremain in a manual command mode for a period of time and then both thefirst zone and the second zone may revert back to be under control ofthe window controller receiving output from the transmissivity sensor.

Any of the methods described herein of control of a tintable window,regardless of whether the window controller is a standalone windowcontroller or is interfaced with a site network, may be used control thetint of a tintable window.

Wireless or Wired Communication

In some embodiments, window controllers described herein includecomponents for wired or wireless communication between the windowcontroller, sensors, and separate communication nodes. Wireless or wiredcommunications may be accomplished with a communication interface thatinterfaces directly with the window controller. Such interface could benative to the microprocessor or provided via additional circuitryenabling these functions. In addition, other systems of a site networkmay include components for wired or wireless communication betweendifferent system elements.

A separate communication node for wireless communications can be, forexample, another wireless window controller, an end, intermediate, ormaster window controller, a remote control device, a BMS, or a sitemonitoring system. Wireless communication is used in the windowcontroller for at least one of the following operations: programmingand/or operating the tintable window 505 (see FIG. 5), collecting datafrom the tintable window 505 from the various sensors and protocolsdescribed herein, and using the tintable window 505 as a relay point forwireless communication. Data collected from tintable windows 505 alsomay include count data such as number of times an EC device has beenactivated, efficiency of the EC device over time, and the like. Thesewireless communication features is described in more detail below.

In one embodiment, wireless communication is used to operate theassociated tintable windows 505, for example, via an infrared (IR),and/or radio frequency (RF) signal. In certain embodiments, thecontroller will include a wireless protocol chip, such as Bluetooth,EnOcean, WiFi, Zigbee, and the like. Window controllers may also havewireless communication via a network. Input to the window controller canbe manually input by an end user at a wall switch, either directly orvia wireless communication, or the input can be from a BMS of a site ofwhich the tintable window is a component or from a site monitoringsystem managing system.

In one embodiment, when the window controller is part of a distributednetwork of controllers, wireless communication is used to transfer datato and from each of a plurality of tintable windows via the distributednetwork of controllers, each having wireless communication components.For example, referring again to FIG. 1B, master network controller 1103,communicates wirelessly with each of intermediate network controllers1105 a and 1105 b, which in turn communicate wirelessly with endcontrollers 1110, each associated with a tintable window. Master networkcontroller 1103 may also communicate wirelessly with a BMS or with asite monitoring system. In one embodiment, at least one level ofcommunication in the window controller is performed wirelessly.

In some embodiments, more than one mode of wireless communication isused in the window controller distributed network. For example, a masterwindow controller may communicate wirelessly to intermediate controllersvia WiFi or Zigbee, while the intermediate controllers communicate withend controllers via Bluetooth, Zigbee, EnOcean, or other protocol. Inanother example, window controllers have redundant wirelesscommunication systems for flexibility in end user choices for wirelesscommunication.

Example of System for Controlling Functions of Tintable Windows

FIG. 1D is a block diagram of components of a system 1400 forcontrolling functions (e.g., transitioning to different tint levels) ofone or more tintable windows at a site (e.g., building 1101 shown inFIG. 1B), according to embodiments. System 1400 may be one of thesystems managed by a site monitoring system through a BMS (e.g., BMS1100 shown in FIG. 1B) or may be managed directly by a site monitoringsystem and/or operate independently of a BMS.

System 1400 includes a master window controller 1402 that can sendcontrol signals to the tintable windows to control its functions. System1400 also includes a network 1410 in electronic communication withmaster window controller 1402. Control logic and instructions forcontrolling functions of the tintable window(s), and/or sensor data maybe communicated to the master window controller 1402 through the network1410. Network 1410 can be a wired or a wireless network (e.g. a cloudnetwork). In some embodiments, network 1410 may be in communication witha BMS to allow the BMS to send instructions for controlling the tintablewindow(s) through network 1410 to the tintable window(s) in a building.In some cases, the BMS may be in communication with the site monitoringsystem to receive instructions for controlling the tintable window(s)from the site monitoring system. In other embodiments, network 1410 maybe in communication with a site monitoring system to allow the sitemonitoring system to send instructions for controlling the tintablewindow(s) through network 1410 to the tintable window(s) in a building.In certain embodiments, the master window controller 1402 and/or themaster network controller 1403 are designed or configured to communicatewith the site monitoring system or component thereof such as a datawarehouse.

System 1400 also includes EC devices 400 of the tintable windows (notshown) and wall switches 1490, which are both in electroniccommunication with master window controller 1402. In this illustratedexample, master window controller 1402 can send control signals to ECdevice(s) to control the tint level of the tintable windows having theEC device(s). Each wall switch 1490 is also in communication with ECdevice(s) and master window controller 1402. An end user (e.g., occupantof a room having the tintable window) can use the wall switch 1490 tocontrol the tint level and other functions of the tintable window havingthe EC device(s).

In FIG. 1D, master window controller 1402 is depicted as a distributednetwork of window controllers including a master network controller1403, a plurality of intermediate network controllers 1405 incommunication with the master network controller 1403, and multiplepluralities of end or leaf window controllers 1110. Each plurality ofend or leaf window controllers 1110 is in communication with a singleintermediate network controller 1405. Although master window controller1402 is illustrated as a distributed network of window controllers,master window controller 1402 could also be a single window controllercontrolling the functions of a single tintable window in otherembodiments. The components of the system 1400 in FIG. 1D may be similarin some respects to components described with respect to FIG. 1B. Forexample, master network controller 1403 may be similar to master networkcontroller 1103 and intermediate network controllers 1405 may be similarto intermediate network controllers 1105. Each of the window controllersin the distributed network of FIG. 1D may include a processor (e.g.,microprocessor) and a computer readable medium in electricalcommunication with the processor.

In FIG. 1D, each leaf or end window controller 1110 is in communicationwith EC device(s) 400 of a single tintable window to control the tintlevel of that tintable window in the building. In the case of an IGU,the leaf or end window controller 1110 may be in communication with ECdevices 400 on multiple lites of the IGU control the tint level of theIGU. In other embodiments, each leaf or end window controller 1110 maybe in communication with a plurality of tintable windows. The leaf orend window controller 1110 may be integrated into the tintable window ormay be separate from the tintable window that it controls. Leaf and endwindow controllers 1110 in FIG. 1D may be similar to the end or leafcontrollers 1110 in FIG. 1B and/or may also be similar to windowcontroller 450 described with respect to FIG. 5.

Each wall switch 1490 can be operated by an end user (e.g., occupant ofthe room) to control the tint level and other functions of the tintablewindow in communication with the wall switch 1490. The end user canoperate the wall switch 1490 to communicate control signals to the ECdevices 400 in the associated tintable window. These signals from thewall switch 1490 may override signals from master window controller 1402in some cases. In other cases (e.g., high demand cases), control signalsfrom the master window controller 1402 may override the control signalsfrom wall switch 1490. Each wall switch 1490 is also in communicationwith the leaf or end window controller 1110 to send information aboutthe control signals (e.g. time, date, tint level requested, etc.) sentfrom wall switch 1490 back to master window controller 1402. In somecases, wall switches 1490 may be manually operated. In other cases, wallswitches 1490 may be wirelessly controlled by the end user using aremote device (e.g., cell phone, tablet, etc.) sending wirelesscommunications with the control signals, for example, using infrared(IR), and/or radio frequency (RF) signals. In some cases, wall switches1490 may include a wireless protocol chip, such as Bluetooth, EnOcean,WiFi, Zigbee, and the like. Although wall switches 1490 depicted in FIG.1D are located on the wall(s), other embodiments of system 1400 may haveswitches located elsewhere in the room.

Wireless communication between, for example, master and/or intermediatewindow controllers and end window controllers offers the advantage ofobviating the installation of hard communication lines. This is alsotrue for wireless communication between window controllers and BMS. Inone aspect, wireless communication in these roles is useful for datatransfer to and from electrochromic windows for operating the window andproviding data to, for example, a BMS for optimizing the environment andenergy savings in a building. Window location data as well as feedbackfrom sensors are synergized for such optimization. For example, granularlevel (window-by-window) microclimate information is fed to a BMS inorder to optimize the building's various environments.

Example Switching Algorithm

To speed along optical transitions, the applied voltage is initiallyprovided at a magnitude greater than that required to hold the device ata particular optical state in equilibrium. This approach is illustratedin FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a graph depicting voltage and currentprofiles associated with driving an electrochromic device from bleachedto colored and from colored to bleached. FIG. 3 is a graph depictingcertain voltage and current profiles associated with driving anelectrochromic device from bleached to colored.

FIG. 2 shows a complete current profile and voltage profile for anelectrochromic device employing a simple voltage control algorithm tocause an optical state transition cycle (coloration followed bybleaching) of an electrochromic device. In the graph, total currentdensity (I) is represented as a function of time. As mentioned, thetotal current density is a combination of the ionic current densityassociated with an electrochromic transition and electronic leakagecurrent between the electrochemically active electrodes. Many differenttypes electrochomic device will have the depicted current profile. Inone example, a cathodic electrochromic material such as tungsten oxideis used in conjunction with an anodic electrochromic material such asnickel tungsten oxide in counter electrode. In such devices, negativecurrents indicate coloration of the device. In one example, lithium ionsflow from a nickel tungsten oxide anodically coloring electrochromicelectrode into a tungsten oxide cathodically coloring electrochromicelectrode. Correspondingly, electrons flow into the tungsten oxideelectrode to compensate for the positively charged incoming lithiumions. Therefore, the voltage and current are shown to have a negativevalue.

The depicted profile results from ramping up the voltage to a set leveland then holding the voltage to maintain the optical state. The currentpeaks 201 are associated with changes in optical state, i.e., colorationand bleaching. Specifically, the current peaks represent delivery of theionic charge needed to color or bleach the device. Mathematically, theshaded area under the peak represents the total charge required to coloror bleach the device. The portions of the curve after the initialcurrent spikes (portions 203) represent electronic leakage current whilethe device is in the new optical state.

In the figure, a voltage profile 205 is superimposed on the currentcurve. The voltage profile follows the sequence: negative ramp (207),negative hold (209), positive ramp (211), and positive hold (213). Notethat the voltage remains constant after reaching its maximum magnitudeand during the length of time that the device remains in its definedoptical state. Voltage ramp 207 drives the device to its new the coloredstate and voltage hold 209 maintains the device in the colored stateuntil voltage ramp 211 in the opposite direction drives the transitionfrom colored to bleached states. In some switching algorithms, a currentcap is imposed. That is, the current is not permitted to exceed adefined level in order to prevent damaging the device (e.g. driving ionmovement through the material layers too quickly can physically damagethe material layers). The coloration speed is a function of not only theapplied voltage, but also the temperature and the voltage ramping rate.

FIG. 3 illustrates a voltage control profile in accordance with certainembodiments. In the depicted embodiment, a voltage control profile isemployed to drive the transition from a bleached state to a coloredstate (or to an intermediate state). To drive an electrochromic devicein the reverse direction, from a colored state to a bleached state (orfrom a more colored to less colored state), a similar but invertedprofile is used. In some embodiments, the voltage control profile forgoing from colored to bleached is a mirror image of the one depicted inFIG. 3.

The voltage values depicted in FIG. 3 represent the applied voltage(Vapp) values. The applied voltage profile is shown by the dashed line.For contrast, the current density in the device is shown by the solidline. In the depicted profile, V_(app) includes four components: a rampto drive component 303, which initiates the transition, a V_(drive)component 313, which continues to drive the transition, a ramp to holdcomponent 315, and a V_(hold) component 317. The ramp components areimplemented as variations in V_(app) and the V_(drive) and V_(hold)components provide constant or substantially constant Vapp magnitudes.

The ramp to drive component is characterized by a ramp rate (increasingmagnitude) and a magnitude of V_(drive). When the magnitude of theapplied voltage reaches V_(drive), the ramp to drive component iscompleted. The V_(drive) component is characterized by the value ofV_(drive) as well as the duration of V_(drive). The magnitude ofV_(drive) may be chosen to maintain V_(eff) with a safe but effectiverange over the entire face of the electrochromic device as describedabove.

The ramp to hold component is characterized by a voltage ramp rate(decreasing magnitude) and the value of V_(hold) (or optionally thedifference between V_(drive) and V_(hold)). V_(app) drops according tothe ramp rate until the value of V_(hold) is reached. The V_(hold)component is characterized by the magnitude of V_(hold) and the durationof V_(hold). Actually, the duration of Vhold is typically governed bythe length of time that the device is held in the colored state (orconversely in the bleached state). Unlike the ramp to drive, V_(drive),and ramp to hold components, the V_(hold) component has an arbitrarylength, which is independent of the physics of the optical transition ofthe device.

Each type of electrochromic device will have its own characteristiccomponents of the voltage profile for driving the optical transition.For example, a relatively large device and/or one with a more resistiveconductive layer will require a higher value of Vdrive and possibly ahigher ramp rate in the ramp to drive component. Larger devices may alsorequire higher values of V_(hold). U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/449,251, filed Apr. 17, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference,discloses controllers and associated algorithms for driving opticaltransitions over a wide range of conditions. As explained therein, eachof the components of an applied voltage profile (ramp to drive,V_(drive), ramp to hold, and V_(hold), herein) may be independentlycontrolled to address real-time conditions such as current temperature,current level of transmissivity, etc. In some embodiments, the values ofeach component of the applied voltage profile is set for a particularelectrochromic device (having its own bus bar separation, resistivity,etc.) and does vary based on current conditions. In other words, in suchembodiments, the voltage profile does not take into account feedbacksuch as temperature, current density, and the like.

As indicated, all voltage values shown in the voltage transition profileof FIG. 3 correspond to the Vapp values described above. They do notcorrespond to the Veff values described above. In other words, thevoltage values depicted in FIG. 3 are representative of the voltagedifference between the bus bars of opposite polarity on theelectrochromic device.

In certain embodiments, the ramp to drive component of the voltageprofile is chosen to safely but rapidly induce ionic current to flowbetween the electrochromic and counter electrodes. As shown in FIG. 3,the current in the device follows the profile of the ramp to drivevoltage component until the ramp to drive portion of the profile endsand the V_(drive) portion begins. See current component 301 in FIG. 3.Safe levels of current and voltage can be determined empirically orbased on other feedback. U.S. Pat. No. 8,254,013, filed Mar. 16, 2011,issued Aug. 28, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference, presentsexamples of algorithms for maintaining safe current levels duringelectrochromic device transitions.

In certain embodiments, the value of V_(drive) is chosen based on theconsiderations described above. Particularly, it is chosen so that thevalue of V_(eff) over the entire surface of the electrochromic deviceremains within a range that effectively and safely transitions largeelectrochromic devices. The duration of V_(drive) can be chosen based onvarious considerations. One of these ensures that the drive potential isheld for a period sufficient to cause the substantial coloration of thedevice. For this purpose, the duration of V_(drive) may be determinedempirically, by monitoring the optical density of the device as afunction of the length of time that Vdrive remains in place. In someembodiments, the duration of V_(drive) is set to a specified timeperiod. In another embodiment, the duration of V_(drive) is set tocorrespond to a desired amount of ionic charge being passed. As shown,the current ramps down during V_(drive). See current segment 307.

Another consideration is the reduction in current density in the deviceas the ionic current decays as a consequence of the available lithiumions completing their journey from the anodic coloring electrode to thecathodic coloring electrode (or counter electrode) during the opticaltransition. When the transition is complete, the only current flowingacross device is leakage current through the ion conducting layer. As aconsequence, the ohmic drop in potential across the face of the devicedecreases and the local values of V_(eff) increase. These increasedvalues of V_(eff) can damage or degrade the device if the appliedvoltage is not reduced. Thus, another consideration in determining theduration of V_(drive) is the goal of reducing the level of V_(eff)associated with leakage current. By dropping the applied voltage fromVdrive to Vhold, not only is V_(eff) reduced on the face of the devicebut leakage current decreases as well. As shown in FIG. 3, the devicecurrent transitions in a segment 305 during the ramp to hold component.The current settles to a stable leakage current 309 during V_(hold).

FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram of some components of a window controller450 and other components of a window controller system of disclosedembodiments. FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of a windowcontroller, and more detail regarding window controllers can be found inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/449,248 and Ser. No. 13/449,251,both naming Stephen Brown as inventor, both titled “CONTROLLER FOROPTICALLY-SWITCHABLE WINDOWS,” and both filed on Apr. 17, 2012, and inU.S. patent Ser. No. 13/449,235, titled “CONTROLLING TRANSITIONS INOPTICALLY SWITCHABLE DEVICES,” naming Stephen Brown et al. as inventorsand filed on Apr. 17, 2012, all of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entireties.

In FIG. 4, the illustrated components of the window controller 450include a window controller 450 having a microprocessor 410 or otherprocessor, a power width modulator (PWM) 415, a signal conditioningmodule 405, and a computer readable medium 420 (e.g., memory) having aconfiguration file 422. Window controller 450 is in electroniccommunication with one or more electrochromic devices 400 in anelectrochromic window through network 425 (wired or wireless) to sendinstructions to the one or more electrochromic devices 400. In someembodiments, the window controller 450 may be a local window controllerin communication through a network (wired or wireless) to a masterwindow controller.

In disclosed embodiments, a site may be a building having at least oneroom having an electrochromic window between the exterior and interiorof a building. One or more sensors may be located to the exterior of thebuilding and/or inside the room. In embodiments, the output from the oneor more sensors may be input to the signal conditioning module 405 ofthe window controller 450. In some cases, the output from the one ormore sensors may be input to a BMS or to a site monitoring system.Although the sensors of depicted embodiments are shown as located on theoutside vertical wall of the building, this is for the sake ofsimplicity, and the sensors may be in other locations, such as insidethe room or on other surfaces to the exterior, as well. In some cases,two or more sensors may be used to measure the same input, which canprovide redundancy in case one sensor fails or has an otherwiseerroneous reading.

Room Sensors and Window Controller

FIG. 5 depicts a schematic diagram of a room 500 having a tintablewindow 505 with at least one electrochromic device. The tintable window505 is located between the exterior and the interior of a building,which includes the room 500. The room 500 also includes a windowcontroller 450 connected to and configured to control the tint level ofthe tintable window 505. An exterior sensor 510 is located on a verticalsurface in the exterior of the building. In other embodiments, aninterior sensor may also be used to measure the ambient light in room500. In yet other embodiments, an occupant sensor may also be used todetermine when an occupant is in the room 500.

Exterior sensor 510 is a device, such as a photosensor, that is able todetect radiant light incident upon the device flowing from a lightsource such as the sun or from light reflected to the sensor from asurface, particles in the atmosphere, clouds, etc. The exterior sensor510 may generate a signal in the form of electrical current that resultsfrom the photoelectric effect and the signal may be a function of thelight incident on the sensor 510. In some cases, the device may detectradiant light in terms of irradiance in units of watts/m² or othersimilar units. In other cases, the device may detect light in thevisible range of wavelengths in units of foot candles or similar units.In many cases, there is a linear relationship between these values ofirradiance and visible light.

Irradiance values from sunlight can be predicted based on the time ofday and time of year as the angle at which sunlight strikes the earthchanges. Exterior sensor 510 can detect radiant light in real-time,which accounts for reflected and obstructed light due to buildings,changes in weather (e.g., clouds), etc. For example, on cloudy days,sunlight would be blocked by the clouds and the radiant light detectedby an exterior sensor 510 would be lower than on cloudless days.

In some embodiments, there may be one or more exterior sensors 510associated with a single tintable window 505. Output from the one ormore exterior sensors 510 could be compared to one another to determine,for example, if one of exterior sensors 510 is shaded by an object, suchas by a bird that landed on exterior sensor 510. In some cases, it maybe desirable to use relatively few sensors in a building because somesensors can be unreliable and/or expensive. In certain implementations,a single sensor or a few sensors may be employed to determine thecurrent level of radiant light from the sun impinging on the building orperhaps one side of the building. A cloud may pass in front of the sunor a construction vehicle may park in front of the setting sun. Thesewill result in deviations from the amount of radiant light from the suncalculated to normally impinge on the building.

Exterior sensor 510 may be a type of photosensor. For example, exteriorsensor 510 may be a charge coupled device (CCD), photodiode,photoresistor, or photovoltaic cell. One of ordinary skill in the artwould appreciate that future developments in photosensor and othersensor technology would also work, as they measure light intensity andprovide an electrical output representative of the light level.

In some embodiments, output from exterior sensor 510 may be input to aBMS or site monitoring system. The input may be in the form of a voltagesignal. The BMS or site monitoring system may process the input and passan output signal with tinting instructions to the window controller 450directly or through a master window controller 1102 (shown in FIG. 1B).The tint level of the tintable window 505 may be determined based onvarious configuration information, override values. Window controller450 then instructs the PWM 415, to apply a voltage and/or current totintable window 505 to transition to the desired tint level.

In disclosed embodiments, window controller 450 can instruct the PWM415, to apply a voltage and/or current to tintable window 505 totransition it to any one of four or more different tint levels. Indisclosed embodiments, tintable window 505 can be transitioned to atleast eight different tint levels described as: 0 (lightest), 5, 10, 15,20, 25, 30, and 35 (darkest). The tint levels may linearly correspond tovisual transmittance values and solar gain heat coefficient (SGHC)values of light transmitted through the tintable window 505. Forexample, using the above eight tint levels, the lightest tint level of 0may correspond to an SGHC value of 0.80, the tint level of 5 maycorrespond to an SGHC value of 0.70, the tint level of 10 may correspondto an SGHC value of0.60, the tint level of 15 may correspond to an SGHCvalue of 0.50, the tint level of 20 may correspond to an SGHC value of0.40, the tint level of 25 may correspond to an SGHC value of 0.30, thetint level of 30 may correspond to an SGHC value of 0.20, and the tintlevel of 35 (darkest) may correspond to an SGHC value of 0.10.

The BMS or site monitoring system in communication with the windowcontroller 450 or a master window controller in communication with thewindow controller 450 may employ any control logic to determine adesired tint level based on signals from the exterior sensor 510 and/orother input. The window controller 415 can instruct the PWM 460 to applya voltage and/or current to electrochromic window 505 to transition itto the desired tint level.

Control Logic for Controlling Windows in a Building

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing exemplary control logic for a method ofcontrolling one or more tintable windows at a site, according toembodiments. The control logic uses one or more of the Modules A, B, andC to calculate tint levels for the tintable window(s) and sendsinstructions to transition the tintable window(s). The calculations inthe control logic are run 1 to n times at intervals timed by the timerat step 610. For example, the tint level can be recalculated 1 to ntimes by one or more of the Modules A, B, and C and calculated forinstances in time t_(i)=t₁, t₂ . . . t_(n). n is the number ofrecalculations performed and n can be at least 1. The logic calculationscan be done at constant time intervals in some cases. In one cases, thelogic calculations may be done every 2 to 5 minutes. However, tinttransition for large pieces of electrochromic glass can take up to 30minutes or more. For these large windows, calculations may be done on aless frequent basis such as every 30 minutes. Although Modules A, B, andC are used in the illustrated embodiment, one or more other logicmodules can be used in other embodiments.

At step 620, logic Modules A, B, and C perform calculations to determinea tint level for each electrochromic window 505 at a single instant intime t_(i). These calculations can be performed by the window controller450, or by a site monitoring system. In certain embodiments, the controllogic predictively calculates how the window should transition inadvance of the actual transition. In these cases, the calculations inModules A, B, and C can be based on a future time around or aftertransition is complete. In these cases, the future time used in thecalculations may be a time in the future that is sufficient to allow thetransition to be completed after receiving the tint instructions. Inthese cases, the controller can send tint instructions in the presenttime in advance of the actual transition. By the completion of thetransition, the window will have transitioned to a tint level that isdesired for that time.

At step 630, the control logic allows for certain types of overridesthat disengage the algorithm at Modules A, B, and C and define overridetint levels at step 640 based on some other consideration. One type ofoverride is a manual override. This is an override implemented by an enduser who is occupying a room and determines that a particular tint level(override value) is desirable. There may be situations where the user'smanual override is itself overridden. An example of an override is ahigh demand (or peak load) override, which is associated with arequirement of a utility that energy consumption in the building bereduced. For example, on particularly hot days in large metropolitanareas, it may be necessary to reduce energy consumption throughout themunicipality in order to not overly tax the municipality's energygeneration and delivery systems. In such cases, the building mayoverride the tint level from the control logic to ensure that allwindows have a particularly high level of tinting. Another example of anoverride may be if there is no occupant in the room, for example, over aweekend in a commercial office building. In these cases, the buildingmay disengage one or more Modules that relate to occupant comfort. Inanother example, an override may be that all the windows may have a highlevel of tinting in cold weather or all the windows may have a low levelof tinting in warm weather.

At step 650, instructions with the tint levels are transmitted over asite network to window controller(s) in communication withelectrochromic device(s) in one or more tintable windows 505 in thebuilding. In certain embodiments, the transmission of tint levels to allwindow controllers of a building may be implemented with efficiency inmind. For example, if the recalculation of tint level suggests that nochange in tint from the current tint level is required, then there is notransmission of instructions with an updated tint level. As anotherexample, the building may be divided into zones based on window size.The control logic may calculate a single tint level for each zone. Thecontrol logic may recalculate tint levels for zones with smaller windowsmore frequently than for zones with larger windows.

In some embodiments, the logic in FIG. 6 for implementing the controlmethods for multiple tintable windows 505 in an entire site can be on asingle device, for example, a single master window controller. Thisdevice can perform the calculations for each and every window in thesite and also provide an interface for transmitting tint levels to oneor more electrochromic devices in individual tintable windows 505.

Also, there may be certain adaptive components of the control logic ofembodiments. For example, the control logic may determine how an enduser (e.g. occupant) tries to override the algorithm at particular timesof day and makes use of this information in a more predictive manner todetermine desired tint levels. In one case, the end user may be using awall switch to override the tint level provided by the predictive logicat a certain time each day to an override value. The control logic mayreceive information about these instances and change the control logicto change the tint level to the override value at that time of day.

User Interface

The portion of the control logic employed by window controller may alsoinclude a user interface, in certain cases, in electronic communicationwith a master scheduler. An example of a user interface 1405 is shown inFIG. 7. In this illustrated example, the user interface 1405 is in theform of a table for entering schedule information used to generate orchange a schedule employed by a master scheduler. For example, the usercan enter the time period into the table by entering start and stoptimes. The user can also select a sensor used by a program. The user canalso enter Site data and Zone/Group Data. The user can also select anoccupancy lookup table to be used by selecting “Sun Penetration Lookup.”

User interface 1504 is in electronic communication with a processor(e.g., microprocessor) and/or in electronic communication with acomputer readable medium (CRM). The processor is in communication withthe CRM. The processor is a component of the window controller 1110. TheCRM may be a component of the window controller 1110 or may be acomponent of the BMS or site monitoring system. The logic in the masterscheduler and other components of the control logic may be stored on theCRM of the window controller 1110, the BMS, or the site monitoringsystem

User interface 1504 may include an input device such as, for example, akeypad, touchpad, keyboard, etc. User interface 1504 may also include adisplay to output information about the schedule and provide selectableoptions for setting up the schedule.

A user may input their schedule information to prepare a schedule(generate a new schedule or modify an existing schedule) using the userinterface 1504.

A user may enter their site data and zone/group data using userinterface 1504. Site data 1506 includes the latitude, longitude, and GMTOffset for the location of the site. Zone/group data includes theposition, dimension (e.g., window width, window height, sill width,etc.), orientation (e.g., window tilt), external shading (e.g., overhangdepth, overhang location above window, left/right fin to side dimension,left/right fin depth, etc.), datum glass SHGC, and occupancy lookuptable for the one or more tintable windows in each zone of the site. Incertain cases, site data and/or zone/group data is static information(i.e. information that is not changed by components of the predictivecontrol logic). In other embodiments, this data may be generated on thefly. Site data and zone/group data may be stored on the CRM of thewindow controller 1110 or on other memory.

When preparing (or modifying) the schedule, the user selects the controlprogram that a master scheduler will run at different time periods ineach of the zones of a site. In some cases, the user may be able toselect from multiple control programs. In one such case, the user mayprepare a schedule by selecting a control program from a list of allcontrol programs (e.g., menu) displayed on user interface 1405. In othercases, the user may have limited options available to them from a listof all control programs. For example, the user may have only paid forthe use of two control programs. In this example, the user would only beable to select one of the two control programs paid for by the user.

Examples—A Site Monitoring System

FIG. 8 shows an example of a dashboard for site monitoring system. Thedepicted view includes a row for each of multiple sites monitored by thesystem, with each row including a site name, its current status, and amost recent update time. The status row indicates whether or not allmonitored devices and controllers in the site appear to be functioningproperly. A green light may be used to indicate no problems, a red lightmay be used to indicate that a problem exists, and a yellow light may beused to indicate that a device or controller is trending toward aproblem. One field of the view provides a link to details about thesite. Thus, if the dashboard shows that there may be a problem at thesite, the user can obtain pull up event logs, sensor output, windowelectrical responses, etc. for the site. This allows the user to drilldown quickly to the precise issue while still having a high-levelpicture of any sites that have issues.

FIG. 9 presents an example of one type of site information that may beobtained by a site monitoring system. The graph presents the outputsignal from a photosensor over time. This information is presented withthe tint state of a window that is controlled using information from thesensor. As illustrated, the window tint state reasonably correspondswith the sensor output.

FIG. 10 presents another example of site information that may beobtained by a monitoring system. In this case, a window's response isshown in relation to commands issued by a controller for the window.

FIG. 11 shows yet another example of site information that can bemonitored and stored. This example shows state transitions of windows(using current, voltage, and controller commands) controlled by threedifferent network controllers in a site. If the transitions of one ofthe windows are inconsistent with expected behavior, it may indicate aproblem with the associated network controller.

FIG. 12 illustrates the case when multiple tinting operations arerequired to switch a device from one optical state to another. See case1 g above. Each unsuccessful attempt to switch a device (whethersuccessful or not) impacts the lifetime of device. The lower tracerepresents the voltage to the window and the middle trace represents thecurrent to the window. In a properly executed transition, the appliedvoltage will settle to a hold voltage of about −1200 mV. Clearly, thisis not the case with the monitored window under consideration, asituation that may be flagged by the site monitoring system. In certainembodiments, the system includes an autodiagnostic function that notesattempts to double tint and double clear, situations that may result inearly failure.

FIG. 13 presents an example of monitored data that may be used todiagnose a potential problem with an electrical connector to a window orcontroller, possibly through a window frame or IGU. See monitoring case3 b above. As mentioned, a “pigtail” is sometimes used to connect wiringfrom a power source to the window. In some cases, the connecter connectsdirectly to a controller. The information contained in FIG. 13 showsthat a constant command was issued by a high level controller (e.g., amaster network controller). See the flat line, third from the top.However the window controller's applied voltage and current (lower andupper traces) show rapid and significant changes, which may be diagnosedas a problem with the connection. In response, personnel can beinstructed to check the connection and replace it if necessary.

FIGS. 14A-D illustrate monitored information relating solar radiation(as detected by photo detector on the site exterior) to window tintingand heat load. FIGS. 14A and 14C illustrate monitored data for aproperly functioning controller and window, while FIGS. 14B and 14Dillustrate data for an improperly functioning controller and/or window.In FIG. 14A, the darker curve represents irradiance (W/m2) over time asdetected by the photo detector, while the lighter more linear plotrepresents the tinting state of a window facing the same direction asthe photo detector. As expected for a properly functioning tintingalgorithm, the window tints when the solar irradiance increases. Bycontrast, the tinting shown in FIG. 14C does not follow an expectedpath; it drops to a high transmissivity state during maximum solarexposure. This situation may be automatically detected and flagged bythe site monitoring system. The system may include further logic fordetermining whether this otherwise problematic situation is actuallyacceptable due to, e.g., a common override for the subject window orcontroller at the site. If such override is identified, the monitoringsite may conclude that no problem exists and/or that it should changethe tinting algorithm to capture the override.

FIG. 14B illustrates the radiative heat load through a window (or groupof windows) at the site as a function as a function of time. The uppercurve represents the radiative heat flux (W/m2) that the building wouldreceive if no tinting was applied. The lower dashed curve represents theactual radiative heat load at the site when the window(s) in question istinted according to the properly functioning algorithm as depicted inFIG. 14A. The flat middle dashed line represents a designed maximumradiative heat load that may be associated with a standard window type(e.g., static tinted glass or low E glass). As shown in FIG. 14B, theactual radiative heat load is well below both the no-tint heat load andthe designed heat load. In this situation, the site monitoring systemwill not flag a problem. It may, however, calculate and optionally saveor present the quantity of energy saved using the switchably tintingwindows. Energy can be calculated from the area under the curves. Thedifference between the area under the upper solid curve (no tinting) andthe lower dashed curve (controlled tinting) corresponds to the energysaved using controlled tinting in the site under consideration.Similarly, the difference between the area under the middle dashed line(design heat load) and the lower dashed curve (controlled tinting)corresponds to the energy saved in comparison to a standard staticapproach to managing radiant heat flux.

FIG. 14D illustrates the heat load as in FIG. 14B but for thepotentially problem tinting reflected in FIG. 14C. In this case, theheat load temporarily exceeds the design heat load, but stays well belowthe heat load that would result from no tinting. Over time, thiswindow/controller still saves energy in comparison to the design heatload.

FIG. 15 illustrates monitored data for multiple windows having differentswitching characteristics and possibly having different sizes. Eachtrace in the figure represents the switching voltage over time for adifferent window. As shown, different windows exhibit differentswitching times; the lowest V trace is for a window having the longestswitching time. In the depicted example, the different windows are partof the same bank or zone and consequently should transition at the sameor similar rates. When the monitoring system receives data as shown inFIG. 15 it can automatically determine that the switching times varywidely and possibly well out of specification. This may trigger anadjustment in the switching algorithm for some or all of the windows;the algorithm may be changed to slow the transition rate of fastswitching windows and/or increase the rate of slow switching windows.

FIG. 16 provides monitor information showing that the zone underconsideration has a potential problem or error because one of thecontrollers is out of sync with rest of the controllers in the zone.With such information, the monitoring system or personnel accessing thesystem can further investigate the problem to isolate the controller,its connections, a window it controls, etc.

FIG. 17 provides monitor information for four photosensors, each facinga different direction, on a site. The East sensor has stopped working asshown by its output value dropping to near zero and then not changing atall. Because the other sensors are still reading and the time is earlyin the afternoon, the system can eliminate the possibility that no lightis hitting the site exterior, which could also lead to the very lowreading. The monitoring system may conclude that the East photosensorhas failed.

FIGS. 18A-I present an example of field degradation and detection usingfeatures 1.a, 1.b and 1.f from the “Data Monitored” section: changes inpeak current, changes in hold (leakage) current, and comparison withother window controllers on the same façade with identical loads. Inthis example, window controllers WC1-WC11 have similar loads (twointegrated glass units/controller) and they control windows on samefaçade. Controller WC12 is on same façade but has half the load (1IG/controller). Stored information on the controllers is provided in thegraph of FIG. 18A, where W, H, and SF are the windows' widths, heights,and square feet (area). The system expects that controllers WC1-WC11will have the same drive and hold current profiles.

In FIGS. 18B-E, which present plots of controller current readings takenon March 1, 4, and 5, the lower flat bottomed curve is the appliedvoltage to drive a window transition. See the labels WC1V for March 5,WC09V for March 1, WC10V for March 4, and WC9V for March 5 (FIG. 18E).As seen, the applied voltage profile is the same; all controllers areidentically driven. All other curves represent current from thecontrollers, and all controllers except WC12 have identical loads.Hence, the system expects the current curves for WC1-WC11 to be same forsame. The site monitoring system analyzes and compares the currentcurrents, and finds that WC11 has two issues (a) its current profile hasan uncharacteristic dip in it in the middle of a ramp (b) it draws abouthalf the peak current (about as much as WC12 level) compared toWC1-WC10, suggesting that one of the two windows controlled by WC11 wasnot getting tinted. Manual inspection of the windows confirmed found onewindow controlled by WC11 was not tinting properly. Further inspectionshowed that one window of two controlled by WC11 was not tinting due topinched cable which ultimately stopped working, which is why WC11 had anuncharacteristic current profile that eventually resembled WC12 whichdrives a single window.

Analysis of WC11 from earlier dates (February 8-10 in the graphs FIGS.18F-H) shows that it had characteristics of a failing controller.Current drawn from WC11 had spiky drops and increases in currentevidencing onset of the problem. With auto detection, the sitemonitoring system could have found this problem and flagged it to fieldservice before one of the windows stopped tinting and became anoticeable problem.

Mechanical Shades

While certain disclosure emphasizes systems, methods, and logic forcontrolling switchable optical devices (e.g., electrochromic devices),these techniques can also be used to control mechanical shades or acombination of switchable optical devices and mechanical shades. Such amechanical shade may, for example, include a motor operated blind or anarray of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices or otherelectromechanical systems (EMS) devices. Windows having a combination ofelectrochromic devices and EMS systems devices can be found in PCTinternational application PCT/US2013/07208, titled “MULTI-PANE WINDOWSINCLUDING ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES AND ELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS DEVICES,”filed on Nov. 26, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety. Mechanical shades typically have different power requirementsthan certain switchable optical devices such as electrochromic devices.For example, while certain electrochromic devices require a few volts tooperate, mechanical shades may in some instances require larger voltagesin order to establish sufficient potential to physically move themechanical feature.

Microblinds and microshutters are examples of types of EMS devices. Someexamples of microblinds and microshutters, and their methods offabrication are described respectively in U.S. Pat. No. 7,684,105 andU.S. Pat. No. 5,579,149, both of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

In certain embodiments, a mechanical shade may be an array of EMSdevices, where each EMS device including a portion (e.g., a hinge or ananchor) attached to the substrate and a mobile portion. When actuated byelectrostatic forces, the mobile portion may move and obscure thesubstrate. In the unactuated state, the mobile portion may expose thesubstrate. In the example of some microblinds, the mobile portion may bean overhanging portion of a material layer that curls when actuated byelectrostatic forces. In the example of some microshutters, the mobileportion can rotate or curl when actuated. In some cases, the EMS devicesmay be actuated and controlled by electrostatic control means. In theexample of microshutters, the electrostatic control means may controlthe angle of rotation or curl to different states. The substrate withthe array of EMS devices may also include a conductive layer. In theexample of microblinds, the microblinds are fabricated using a thinlayer(s) under controlled stress. In embodiments with an array of EMSdevices, each EMS device has two states, an actuated state and anunactuated state. The actuated state may render the array of EMS devicessubstantially opaque and the unactuated state may render the array ofEMS devices substantially transparent, or vice versa. The actuated andunactuated states may also switch between substantially reflective (orabsorptive) and substantially transparent, for example. Other states arealso possible when the array of EMS devices is in an actuated orunactuated state. For example, microshutters, a type of MEMS device, maybe fabricated from a tinted (but non-opaque) coating, which when shutprovide a tinted pane, and when open the tint is substantially removed.Further, some arrays of EMS devices may have three, four, or more statesthat are able to be transitioned to. In some cases, the EMS devices canmodify visible and/or infrared transmission. The EMS devices may reflectin some cases, may be absorptive in other cases, and in yet otherembodiments may provide both reflective and absorptive properties. Incertain embodiments, the EMS devices may be operated at variable speeds,e.g., to transition from a high transmission state to a low-transmissionstate, or a no-transmission state. In certain cases, the EMS devices maybe used in conjunction with an electrochromic device (or otherswitchable optical device) as a temporary light blocking measure, e.g.,to block light until the associated electrochromic device hastransitioned to a lower transmissivity state or a higher transmissivitystate.

Although the foregoing embodiments have been described in some detail tofacilitate understanding, the described embodiments are to be consideredillustrative and not limiting. It will be apparent to one of ordinaryskill in the art that certain changes and modifications can be practicedwithin the scope of the appended claims. For example, while the variousfeatures of the site monitoring devices have been describedindividually, such features may be combined in a single site monitoringdevice.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for monitoring a plurality of remotesites, each having a network of switchable optical devices, the systemcomprising: (a) a data repository configured to store data about thefunctioning of the switchable optical devices in said remote sites; (b)one or more interfaces for receiving data from the plurality of remotesites; and (c) logic for analyzing said data from said remote sites toidentify any of the switchable optical devices, or any controllers orsensors operating in conjunction with any of the switchable opticaldevices, that are performing outside an expected performance region. 2.The system of claim 1, further comprising logic for generating anotification that a switchable optical device, or a controller or asensor operating in conjunction with the switchable optical device, isperforming outside the expected performance region.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising logic for (i) determining a correctiveaction to bring a switchable optical device, a controller, or a sensoridentified by the logic for analyzing into the expected performanceregion; and (ii) communicating said corrective action to a remote sitehaving the identified switchable optical device, controller, or sensor.4. The system of claim 3, wherein the corrective action comprisesmodifying an algorithm for controlling the switchable optical device. 5.The system of claim 1, further comprising logic for (i) learning auser's preference by identifying consistent interactions of the userwith a switchable optical devices at a site; and (ii) adjustingprocedures for controlling the switchable optical devices to meet theuser's preference.
 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising logicfor sending data and/or control messages, over the one or moreinterfaces, to the sites in response to data it receives from the sites.7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a dashboard designed orconfigured to flag sites with switchable optical device, controller, orsensor operating outside the expected performance region.
 8. The systemof claim 1, further comprising a plurality of client machines selectedfrom the group consisting of workstations, portable computers, andmobile computing devices, wherein each client machine is configured topresent information about the functioning of the switchable opticaldevices, controllers, and/or sensors devices in any of the sites.
 9. Thesystem of claim 8, further comprising an application server and/or areport server configured to interface with the clients to provideapplication services or reports.
 10. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising a data and event reporter, a data and event log and/or a dataanalyzer.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the expected performanceregion is a defined specification.
 12. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising logic for (i) determining degradation in electrical currentto a switchable optical device in a site; and (ii) auto-correcting thedegradation by directing a controller associated with the switchableoptical device to increase the switching voltage to the switchableoptical device.
 13. The system of claim 1, further comprising logic for(i) predicting when a room of a remote site is to be occupied; and (ii)automatically adjusting a tint algorithm for a switchable optical devicein the room to start tinting when the room is predicted to be occupied.14. The system of claim 1, further comprising logic for (i) detecting adifference in tinting times or tinting levels for different windowshaving switchable optical devices in a single façade; and (ii) causingall windows in the façade to tint at the same time and/or the same tintlevel by auto adjusting ramping voltage parameters.
 15. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising logic for providing look ahead data to asite's HVAC system and/or lighting system to thereby enabling the HVACor lighting system to enhance occupant comfort and/or save energy. 16.The system of claim 1, further comprising logic for comparing energysavings from multiple sites to identify algorithms and/or device typesthat improve energy saving.
 17. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising logic for (i) generating fingerprints of the switchableoptical devices, controllers, and/or sensors of the sites duringcommissioning of the remote sites; and (ii) determining performance ofthe switchable optical devices, controllers, and/or sensors by comparingtheir current fingerprints against their earlier fingerprints generatedduring commissioning.
 18. The system of claim 1, wherein the remotesites comprise residential buildings, office buildings, schools,airports, hospitals, and/or government buildings.
 19. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the data about the functioning of the switchableoptical devices comprises voltage and/or current versus time data forthe switchable optical devices.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein thetime variable is associated with solar position or weather.
 21. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the data about the functioning of theswitchable optical devices comprises changes in peak current to theswitchable optical devices, changes in leakage current to the switchableoptical devices, change in voltage compensation required to theswitchable optical devices, and changes in power consumption of theswitchable optical devices.
 22. A method, implemented on a sitemonitoring system, for monitoring a plurality of remote sites, eachhaving a network of switchable optical devices, the method comprising:(a) storing data about the functioning of the switchable optical devicesin said remote sites; and (b) analyzing said data from said remote sitesto identify any of the switchable optical devices, or any controllers orsensors operating in conjunction with any of the switchable opticaldevices, that are performing outside an expected performance region. 23.The method of claim 22, further comprising generating a notificationthat a switchable optical device, or a controller or a sensor operatingin conjunction with the switchable optical device, is performing outsidethe expected performance region.
 24. The method of claim 22, furthercomprising: (c) determining a corrective action to bring a switchableoptical device, a controller, or a sensor identified by the logic foranalyzing into the expected performance region; and (d) communicatingsaid corrective action to a remote site having the identified switchableoptical device, controller, or sensor.
 25. The method of claim 24,wherein the corrective action comprises modifying an algorithm forcontrolling the switchable optical device.
 26. The method of claim 22,further comprising: (c) learning a user's preference by identifyingconsistent interactions of the user with a switchable optical devices ata site; and (d) adjusting procedures for controlling the switchableoptical devices to meet the user's preference.
 27. The method of claim22, further comprising sending data and/or control message from the sitemonitoring system to the sites in response to data received from thesites.
 28. The method of claim 22, further comprising generating reportsabout the sites using said data from said remote sites.
 29. The methodof claim 22, wherein the expected performance region is a definedspecification.
 30. The method of claim 22, further comprising: (c)determining degradation in electrical current to a switchable opticaldevice in a site; and (d) auto-correcting the degradation by directing acontroller associated with the switchable optical device to increase theswitching voltage to the switchable optical device.
 31. The method ofclaim 22, further comprising: (c) predicting when a room of a remotesite is to be occupied; and (d) automatically adjusting a tint algorithmfor a switchable optical device in the room to start tinting when theroom is predicted to be occupied.
 32. The method of claim 22, furthercomprising: (c) detecting a difference in tinting times or tintinglevels for different windows having switchable optical devices in asingle façade; and (d) causing all windows in the façade to tint at thesame time and/or the same tint level by auto adjusting ramping voltageparameters.
 33. The method of claim 22, further comprising providinglook ahead data to a site's HVAC system and/or lighting system tothereby enabling the HVAC or lighting system to enhance occupant comfortand/or save energy.
 34. The method of claim 22, further comprisingcomparing energy savings from multiple sites to identify algorithmsand/or device types that improve energy saving.
 35. The method of claim22, further comprising: (c) generating fingerprints of the switchableoptical devices, controllers, and/or sensors of the sites duringcommissioning of the sites; and (d) determining performance of theswitchable optical devices, controllers, and/or sensors by comparingtheir current fingerprints against their earlier fingerprints generatedduring commissioning.
 36. The method of claim 22, wherein the remotesites comprise residential buildings, office buildings, schools,airports, hospitals, and/or government buildings.
 37. The method ofclaim 22, wherein the data about the functioning of the switchableoptical devices comprises voltage and/or current versus time data forthe switchable optical devices.
 38. The method of claim 37, wherein thetime variable is associated with solar position or weather.
 39. Themethod of claim 22, wherein the data about the functioning of theswitchable optical devices comprises changes in peak current to theswitchable optical devices, changes in leakage current to the switchableoptical devices, change in voltage compensation required to theswitchable optical devices, and changes in power consumption of theswitchable optical devices.
 40. The method of claim 22, furthercomprising receiving data from a BMS, a network controller, and/or awindow controller at a remote site.
 41. The system of claim 1, whereinthe one or more interfaces are configured or designed to receive datafrom a BMS, a network controller, and/or a window controller at a remotesite.
 42. A method, implemented on a site monitoring system, formonitoring a plurality of remote sites, each having a network ofswitchable optical devices and one or more sensors, the methodcomprising: (a) storing data about the functioning of the switchableoptical devices and/or the output of the one or more sensors in saidremote sites; (b) analyzing said data from said remote sites to identifyweather patterns at the plurality of remote sites and/or user behaviorin response weather at the plurality of remote sites; and (c) providingthe identified weather patterns and/or user behavior to a third partyservice other than the remote sites.